Educators and child psychologists have long recommended gardening as a teaching tool.

In the early 1900’s Maria Montessori believed children could learn lessons in life by practical experience – for example, by making a garden.

Montessori’s theories of educating the young child are now common in most U.S. communities.

Through the studies of plants, children become aware of how people depend on plant life as the source of food, clothing, and shelter, as well as the aesthetic beauty inherent in both indoor and outdoor surroundings.

However, children can also learn that many plants, such as noxious weeds and poisonous plants, may be harmful. Others may be invasive or a nuisance to gardening.

In addition to viewing gardening as a learning experience, growing plants and working the soil is just plain fun!

If a child’s first gardening experiences reap success, chances are that their “green thumb” and enthusiasm will continue throughout life.

As part of our vegetables theme, we planted and then pulled carrots from the ground.

Students used their hand to grasp the stems. Then then used their words to describe what they saw.

Following this, they enjoyed a yummy snack of fresh carrots!