Although it has been around for more than 100 years, school gardens are a relatively new concept in our country. They are increasingly being talked about as good models of education in the field of topics related to ecology, environmental protection, climate change, food production – but the practical implementation of this concept is what is yet to be expected.
A school garden is an outdoor classroom where theory and practice are combined. In it, students are introduced to natural processes through practice and play, learn cooperation and patience, and acquire healthy lifestyle habits.
The process of learning in the school garden gives children a broader view of the world, the opportunity to look at all the connections that exist in nature and to see their importance in that connection, that circle, that food chain.
Also, the activities and tasks of the school garden program build important social skills in children. They teach them responsibility, communication, empathy, teamwork, and leadership. Gardens also foster a sense of belonging, bringing together parents, teachers, students, and community members.
At a time when technology is becoming more and more present, the school garden is a good platform for students to introduce students to the basic principles and processes in nature, and therefore an additional link between children and nature.
The role of teachers in the development of the school garden is crucial. The teacher is responsible for planning, organizing, and guiding each experience in the garden, with the aim of facilitating the understanding of theory through its application in practice.
The teacher must ensure that, through the school garden, students really understand the content devised in school curriculum planning, effectively establishing cause-and-effect relationships and ensuring that students correctly apply the knowledge acquired in the classroom. Our teacher, Vesela Mačkić, will practice activities in the school garden with the students from the first grade.
