On the first
Wednesday of every month, the preschool children of the Youth Education program at
Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS') have been participating in a Garden Day.
They have had the opportunity to pick, wash and taste vegetables
directly from SFBFS' onsite Demonstration Garden. Last Wednesday, the youth planted vegetables in their very own garden bed.
They planted tomatoes, kale, squash and
lettuce which they will be able to watch grow next to their outdoor play area
until it is finally time to taste the fruits (and vegetables) of their
labor.
The children were able to get
hands on experience while they learned about the process of growing their own
food. They dug a hole for each vegetable start and learned about separating their
roots so they will grow deep into the soil and stay healthy. They will also be able to witness a seed
transforming into a full grown plant with a little sunlight and moisture from
the lettuce seeds they planted.
By combining the Demonstration Garden with the Youth Education play area, children are given the opportunity to interact, observe, nurture and
learn.
Well known child development
theorists such as Maria Montessori and Jean Piaget have expressed the
importance of children learning to nurture plants from beginning to end.
Maria Montessori said, “When the children put
a seed into the ground… the children are inspired with a feeling for nature…”
This helps them to not only gain confidence
in their abilities, but to witness cycle of life first hand.
If that wasn’t enough, there is also evidence
that when children learn to plant fruits and vegetables, they are more likely
to choose to eat them when given the option.
In the future we hope to have the children tending to their garden,
creating their own markers for what they have planted as well as continuing to
learn from the Demonstration Garden.
Submitted by Sarah Rambo, Child Development Intern
