THE WORLD ON A PLATE

I’m the administrator/coordinator of Plant to Plate Aotearoa – which delivers a cooking and gardening programme to primary schools in the Palmerston North/ Manawatu area – and after reading your article in the February issue I felt I had to write in to wholeheartedly agree with the idea that gardening makes our kids smarter.

School gardening has many benefits academically, socially and practically. It’s easy to see the positive impact being outside in the garden has. Not all children learn well in a classroom and an “outside classroom” is an ideal space to address different learning styles. Some of the most troublesome students become more focused and enthusiastic. They’re more able to employ self-control, patience and teamwork in order to achieve. Hands-on learning works by really engaging students, and I’ve noted improved concentration and behaviour in every school I’ve visited.

School vegetable gardens encourage students to connect with their environment; they’re looking at and experiencing “real life”. Where our food comes from is a concept many children do not grasp; the garden fills in the gaps. They learn how to grow food to nourish themselves, then begin to make healthy food choices. Children are far more likely to try a new fruit or vegetable if they’ve had a hand in growing or cooking it and it’s wonderful to see the sense of accomplishment and how much confidence they gain by growing and cooking a meal.

Plant to Plate is extremely proud of the work we do and the programme we provide, believing it to enrich children’s lives and change attitudes in the community. We believe that school gardens give children the opportunity and knowledge to make positive choices in their own lives. Cindy Duker, PALMERSTON NORTH