© 2014 The National Gardening Association. All rights reserved. 2 Why School Gardens? School gardens grow more than plants Throughout the school year, incorporating garden-based learning into the curriculum increases engagement and knowledge retention in key subjects such as math, science, and reading In addition, the hands-on aspect of gardening fosters a sense of pride and empowerment, helps children work together, be more involved in and feel more responsibility toward their school and community Young people who participate in school garden programs improve their knowledge of good nutrition, broaden their tastes in terms of food choices, and increase their consumption of vegetables and fruits Equally important, participating in garden programs allows children the opportunity for regular moderate exercise in an enjoyable way Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that well-implemented school garden programs promote physical activity and healthy eating These healthful diet and exercise practices, planted like seeds in the garden, continue to grow into life-long habits that can be effective weapons in the fight against childhood obesity School gardening programs also provide students with a vital connection to the natural world, encouraging an appreciation of nature and a sense of environmental stewardship For many children, a school garden is their only opportunity to experience nature up close The first-hand experience of nurturing plants in the garden brings to life the importance of protecting pollinators, conserving soil and water resources, and caring for the entire web of life Find out more about how to get your school garden started at KidsGardeningorg

Why School Gardens? - Carton 2 Garden · Why School Gardens? School gardens grow more than plants . Throughout the school year, incorporating garden-based learning into the curriculum

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Page 1: Why School Gardens? - Carton 2 Garden · Why School Gardens? School gardens grow more than plants . Throughout the school year, incorporating garden-based learning into the curriculum

Why School Gardens?School gardens grow more than plants . Throughout the school year, incorporating garden-based learning into the curriculum increases engagement and knowledge retention in key subjects such as math, science, and reading . In addition, the hands-on aspect of gardening fosters a sense of pride and empowerment, helps children work together, be more involved in and feel more responsibility toward their school and community .

Young people who participate in school garden programs improve their knowledge of good nutrition, broaden their tastes in terms of food choices, and increase their consumption of vegetables and fruits . Equally important, participating in garden programs allows children the opportunity for regular moderate exercise in an enjoyable way . Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that well-implemented school garden programs promote physical activity and healthy eating . These healthful diet and exercise practices, planted like seeds in the garden, continue to grow into life-long habits that can be effective weapons in the fight against childhood obesity .

School gardening programs also provide students with a vital connection to the natural world, encouraging an appreciation of nature and a sense of environmental stewardship . For many children, a school garden is their only opportunity to experience nature up close . The first-hand experience of nurturing plants in the garden brings to life the importance of protecting pollinators, conserving soil and water resources, and caring for the entire web of life .

Find out more about how to get your school garden started at KidsGardening .org .