Children blossom in their school garden
'If you want to teach children something, let them do things they enjoy,' says de Moor. Children work with a buddy in the school garden, are outside, and learn to sow and tend plants. Moreover, there are fewer rules than at school, which they love and is essential for their motivation and eagerness to learn. The garden activities connect subjects such as history, reading and maths. In addition, the children learn about gardening and gain practical experience. This gives the children autonomy, and they get the feeling of being able to do something. 'You immediately see the children relax and blossom as soon as they are in their little garden,' says De Moor. School gardening is a form of understanding life; everything comes together in the school garden. So, how exactly does it work?
If you want to teach children something, let them do things they enjoy
The rules of the game
The garden lessons are between March and November and take place twenty-five times. Once or twice a week, students jump on their bikes during school hours and visit their little garden. 'But before they go to the school garden, they always work in the workbook at school first. That is an important ground rule,' says de Moor. They read the lessons, discuss knowledge and insight questions, and use word dictation. 'In one of the schools, the children even keep a logbook on the computer,' says de Moor. Another vital ground rule is that the children do it together. Together, the children plan planting, sowing, caring for their little garden, and harvesting. This way, they also learn important lessons about cooperation and social skills. 'And if someone's harvest fails, the children share their harvest. That has always gone well so far,' says de Moor.
Volunteers give practical lessons in the school garden, such as showing soil and its inhabitants or honey bees. The children also learn to work with a sowing calendar and map. The practical lessons always tie in with what the children have read at school, making school not only a theoretical but also a valuable and exciting experience. Moreover, pupils are encouraged to ask questions and be curious.
if someone's harvest fails, the children share their harvest. That has always gone well so far
'Stop.....this is my garden'
Children learn that adults should not meddle in their little garden. But do adults respect this? If they don't, children might assert, 'This is my garden' or 'Can you please leave my garden?' The teacher should also seek the pupil's permission before entering their garden. Moor suggests that this practice enhances the pupil's self-confidence, which is also evident in the classroom. As a result, children become more confident in reading, math, and writing.
I thought this was an innovation that primary education needs. Every primary school should do this like this
How did it start?
Jan de Moor started this project seven years ago after his retirement. 'The Lingewaard Natuurlijk Foundation asked me to become a volunteer for children from two schools who wanted to garden. I have a vegetable garden and thought: I should be able to do that. And without knowing exactly how to go about it, Moor spent those seven years developing, evaluating and improving a curriculum for school gardens based on feedback from the children and teachers. 'I thought this was an innovation that primary education needs. Every primary school should do this like this.
Towards school garden-inclusive education
With the 'school garden—inclusive education' project, De Moor is developing a way to integrate school gardening into primary education without wasting teaching time. The school garden connects different subjects and bridges the gap between practice, nature experience, and cognitive development. According to De Moor, the school garden contributes to the integration of courses, and its existence is not in question as long as it fits well with the curriculum.