Gardening is good for growing kids
New research proves the benefits of gardening as an out door learning activity. The research, carried out on behalf of the Royal Horticultural Society's Gardening in Schools, shows the enormous impact gardening plays in a child’s wellbeing, learning and development.
Commissioned by the RHS from independent researchers the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), the report highlights how schools which actively use a garden, develop ‘resilient,’ ‘ready to learn’ and ‘responsible’ children – 3R attributes that make up well-balanced, happier, healthier and more rounded individuals.
The RHS believes these 3 R’s can be learned when gardening is used as a teaching tool, not just as an extra-curricular activity.
The NFER surveyed a selection of 1,300 school teachers and studied in-depth 10 schools belonging to the RHS Campaign for School Gardening. The study showed that schools of all sizes could benefit from letting thier childrens hands get dirty.
The gardening can take any form, whether its planting up hanging basket or manning a full scale allotment, every little helps.
Amongst other things the report found that gardening in schools encourages children to:
To see the research report Gardening in Schools – A vital tool for children’s learning please click here:
