ABSTRACT

When it comes to teaching children, teachers provide more than just academic support. Teachers also help students experience the world around them, learn about themselves and gain skills that will continue to be beneficial throughout their life. One way that teachers do this, is by bringing learning outside of the classroom and having students engage with outdoor learning experiences. Unfortunately, these types of experiences are often absent in Early Childhood Curriculums. Outdoor learning can be offered in a curriculum by incorporating a school garden. This grant will provide the funds to purchase equipment and materials needed for an outdoor garden at Little Learners Center. This environment encourages students to use their inner curiosity to explore natural elements of the earth and engage in learning that promotes growth in different areas of development. Students will progress in self-confidence, problem-solving strategies, language, and motors skills. Life skills like growing their own food and learning about natural resources are skills that will continue to be beneficial beyond their early childhood years. A school garden also provides students with academic opportunities that integrate more than one content area in hands-on and meaningful ways. Outdoor experiences have been shown to significantly improve students’ learning and development. Every child should have the opportunity to engage with this type of learning environment.