Reading: The Benefits of Garden-Based Learning

The Benefits of Garden-Based Learning

We know there are many benefits associated with the act of gardening and garden-based learning, for example:

🌻Gardening promotes a healthy, active lifestyle, encouraging physical fitness and nutritional awareness.

🌻Communities who work together, and young people who work collaboratively in a school garden gain social skills, and learn how to respect one another and work cooperatively. 

🌻Ongoing interaction with the soil and earth creates ecological awareness and encourages environmental stewardship. 

🌻In schools, garden-based learning provides meaningful activity and inquiry-based learning opportunities. 

🌻Lessons from the garden can be aligned with the curriculum standards, increasing student achievement and understanding.

...can you think of a few more?

Boy watering garden

Take a look at the PowerPoint, "The Benefits of Garden Based Learning".

Explore the Cornell Garden-Based Learning's page on Key Findings about several key benefits of garden based learning for children, youth, adults and families. Here you will find a comprehensive list of links to scientific studies and research. Links are grouped into categories so you can easily find studies that relate to your own program goals. Click here for a downloadable pdf version, Highlights from Journal Articles.

Research findings like these can help support your organizational efforts, particularly when trying to convince funders, administrators or other officials of the importance of your GBL program. Bookmark this page for easy reference later.

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