St. Paul’s Children’s Garden

Benefits of Gardening

Along with the fun of getting dirty gardening helps children learn! Gardening readily supports our St. Paul’s Philosophy regarding all age appropriate domains of learning. For example:

COGNITIVELY GARDENING

  • EMBRACES ALL ACADEMIC AREAS:
    MATH, SCIENCE, LITERATURE, MUSIC, LANGUAGE
  • DEVELOPS CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS
  • ENHANCES CREATIVITY AND IMAGINATION

SOCIALLY / EMOTIONALLY GARDENING PROMOTES

  • PATIENCE AND PERSERVERANCE
  • FEELINGS OF ACCOMPLISHMENT; PRIDE IN WORK
  • SELF HELP SKILLS
  • RESPONSIBILITY
  • ENHANCES SELF ESTEEM
  • COOPERATION

PHYSICALLY GARDENING SUPPORTS

  • GROSS MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
    • GENERAL EXERCISE, PHYSICAL STRENGTHENING
    • VISUAL AND MOTOR PLANNING
    • BODY PERCEPTION
    • COORDINATION
  • FINE MOTOR
    • EYE-HAND COORDINATION
    • WORKING WITH TOOLS
    • DEXTERITY
  • STIMULATE AND USES ALL 5 SENSES
    • (Touch, Taste, Hearing, Seeing, Smelling)

SPIRITUALLY GARDENING

  • MAKES THE CONNECTION BETWEEN GOD, THE CREATOR AND CONCRETE BIBLE LEARNING
  • RESPECT FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT
  • “Children are a lot closer to the ground; they have an intimate relationship wit the earth.”

DON’T FORGET LIFE BEGAN IN THE GARDEN!

THE PARENT’S ROLE IN THE GARDEN: IDEAS TO ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE!

  • Walk the Prayer Path
    • Read one of the Bible stories.
    • Prayer for family members at the wishing well.
  • Visit your children’s classroom bed
  • Observe the daily changes in the environment.
  • Ask your child to share with you his recent monthly garden / nature lesson.
  • Take time with your child:
    • Relax on the swing
    • Talk
    • Share lunch, or snack
    • Visit with friends
    • Listen
    • Find peace