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Thriving Little Gardeners:
Educational and Therapeutic Gardening Programme

School Garden
Gardening

Growing Skills, Minds, and Confidence Through Gardening
The Thriving Little Gardeners programme is a therapeutic gardening initiative designed to support children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) & Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. This hands-on programme integrates gardening activities with core curriculum subjects such as Maths, Science, and English while fostering emotional well-being through mindfulness and nature-based experiences. It also provides opportunities to develop practical skills in sustainable horticulture.

What We
Offer

01

Therapeutic Benefits:

Gardening is a powerful tool for reducing anxiety, promoting mindfulness, and helping children regulate emotions. Each session is designed to create a calming, sensory-rich environment where children can connect with nature and build confidence. (1,3,4)

03

Work Experience Opportunities

Older students can gain hands-on experience in regenerative horticulture, enhancing employability and confidence with sustainable growing techniques.

02

Curriculum-Integrated Learning:

Students will engage in practical gardening tasks while reinforcing academic concepts:

  • Maths: Measuring plant growth, calculating soil quantities, and creating garden plans.

  • Science: Understanding plant biology, ecosystems, and soil health.

  • English: Reflective writing about their experiences and journaling garden observations. (2)

Programme Structure

  • Therapeutic Focus:
    Activities like planting, weeding, and sensory gardening promote mindfulness and emotional regulation. (1,3,4)

  • Educational Integration:
    Linking gardening activities to subjects ensures engaging, real-world learning experiences and supports students with their academic engagment. (2)

  • Practical Skills:
    Students learn about regenerative gardening, companion planting, and sustainable food production.

Gardener
Students at School

Why Choose Thriving Little Gardeners?

  1. Supports SEN & SEMH Students:
    Gardening provides therapeutic benefits, reducing stress and fostering self-expression. (1,3,4)
     

  2. Enhances Learning:
    Real-world gardening tasks make academic subjects more accessible and enjoyable. (2)
     

  3. Builds Confidence and Skills:
    Through practical activities, students gain valuable life and employability skills.

Join Us

Interested in bringing the Thriving Little Gardeners programme to your school?
Contact us to learn more about how we can tailor our programme to your needs. Our team of experienced educators and regenerative farming experts is ready to help your students grow, learn, and thrive.

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Contact Us Today by clicking on the botton!

References

1 Using gardening as a school mental health intervention / RHS Campaign for School Gardening. Available at: https://schoolgardening.rhs.org.uk/News/News-results/National/2023/May/Using-gardening-as-a-school-intervention (Accessed: 30 October 2024).

 

2 Waliczek, T, Bradley, JC, Zajicek, JM, 2001/07/0, p 466 – 468, The effect of school gardens on children's interpersonal relationships and attitudes toward school, VL 11, JO, HortTechnology

 

3 Soga M, Gaston KJ, Yamaura Y. Gardening is beneficial for health: A meta-analysis. Prev Med Rep. 2016 Nov 14;5:92-99. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2016.11.007. PMID: 27981022; PMCID: PMC5153451.

 

4 Thompson R. Gardening for health: a regular dose of gardening. Clin Med (Lond). 2018 Jun;18(3):201-205. doi: 10.7861/clinmedicine.18-3-201. PMID: 29858428; PMCID: PMC6334070.

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