Activity Introduction

planting-veggies-sustainability-heroQuick summary: This activity is designed to encourage children to participate in growing their own food, develop an understanding of where their food comes from, how much time it takes for food to grow, what is needed to grow food, what they can make with the food that they grow. Younger children will explore the garden and produce using all of their senses, while older children will create a special place using edible plants and be involved in the full process of growing food from seed to table.

This activity is designed to help connect children to the wonders of the natural world through sensory and play-based learning.

EYLF Learning Outcome

Elaborations

Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity

4.  Children learn to interact in relation to others with care, empathy and respect.

Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world

1.  Children develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities and an understanding of the reciprocal rights and responsibilities necessary for active civic participation.

4. Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment

Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of wellbeing

2. Children take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing

Outcome 4: Children are involved and confident learners

1. Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity

2. Children develop a range of skills and processes such as problem solving, enquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating

Equipment needed: You will need an area of garden / garden beds / suitable containers for planting your edible garden; seeds and seedlings; watering cans; access to water (preferable rain water from a tank); rulers; large bamboo stakes; rope; twine.

Other resources:

 

7 Tips for Head Start and Pre-school Edible Gardens – http://youtu.be/YwbwdGaTEgU

 

Cool Australia would like to acknowledge the support of the Seedlings Early Years Education for Sustainability (EYEfS) program.

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

planting-revegetation-biodiversity-heroBackground information

Content information for educators (also suitable for parents): Growing your own food is one of the biggest and most satisfying ways to increase the sustainability of your lifestyle. Gardening is great for physical and mental health and wellbeing. Growing your own food saves money, reduces your intake of harmful chemicals, and you know where your food comes from. Not to mention it tastes so much better!

Children can be fussy eaters, but often if they are involved in growing the food, they are more likely to eat it, and also to try new foods. Children are often unaware of where their food comes from, thinking it comes wrapped in plastic from the supermarket. It is important that they experience and appreciate where their food comes from, and what is required in order to grow it.

Home grown vegetables and fruit can look different from those found in the supermarket, different shapes, colours, textures and flavours. Exploring these attributes of home grown vegetab

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