Childhood In The Garden

In the article "A place to Encounter Natural and Social Diversity," from Childhood in the Garden written by John Nimmo and Beth Hallett, took me in the world of gardening. "The garden is a familiar place tamed by humans to serve social purpose such as growing food," (Nimmo, & Hallett. 2008 pg32) with that concept in mind the "Growing a Green Generation" project began. The project was to engage infants through kindergarten in the natural world, and offer the opportunity to learn skills and concepts of gardening. The article described endless opportunities for kids, a place to play and explore, safe risk taking, building relationships and understanding diversity.
The garden offers an inviting environment to play and explore. Young children learn from playing and nature offers many opportunities to do so and help develop in many different areas. It helps cognitive development, by allowing them to create a new world or fantasy one from the natural environment. "Cognitive-development theory, children actively construct knowledge as they manipulate and explore their world." (Berk & …show more content…
That encounter offered a great teaching and learning opportunity because the children could learn more about the creature. Also discuss the real danger that wild creatures can impose if not treated with respect. "Gardens by their very nature involve mud- a phenomenon that simultaneously inspires, delight in young children and a wonderful interesting reaction from adults." (Nimmo & Hallett, 2008 of 34) Once again mud offers a great teaching opportunity in this case taking a scientific approach. Teaching children the process of how mud is made with the use of water and dirt, giving the opportunity to ask question and investigate the mud. Another safe risk taking is the use of full size tools and equipment and the labor the children can be involved