How Does Your Garden Grow?
“Richard Louv argues that by tapping into the restorative powers of nature - by getting a strong hit of 'vitamin nature' - we can boost mental agility and creativity; promote health and wellbeing; build smarter and more sustainable businesses, communities, and economies; and ultimately strengthen human bonds.”
Autralian Conservation Foundation Online Blog
Referring to Richard Louv, author, Last Child in the Woods and The
Nature Principle
My grandmother—a wise woman, though she had little formal education—was prone to say on any day when snow or ice wasn’t falling, “Charlotte, it’s too pretty to be indoors.” My brothers and I were encouraged to spend time outside daily, even after supper, if for no other reason than it was healthier than being indoors.
A large body of science is proving my grandmother right, and author Richard Louv has been well ahead of that learning trajectory for the modern parent whose child is often indoors in front of some electronic device: television, computers, handheld game systems. How can we find the balance? Electronics are often wonderful learning tools—laptops, SmartBoards, and Ipads open many doors for our students –but we need to maintain our focus on the essential aspect of the natural world for both good health and mental stimulation.
At New Vistas we began our Healthy for Life program eight years ago: no sodas or sugar snacks available in our vending machines, more time/activity outdoors. Our Physical Education program encourages life skills such as walking and recreational games rather than heavy competition, and unless it’s raining or snowing or the windchill factor is “polar,” the activities go on outside. We get students outdoors in other ways, as well: “listening” and “looking” walks in language classes, measuring in math, “catapulting” in science, drawing in art, tending to the grounds during community service.
Part of my growing awareness about the importance of being outdoors is the recognition that since we are certain that we learn by doing, we are far more likely to get students moving around if we get them outdoors. Gene Watson, one of the early pioneers in the field of math education for children with learning problems, always said in his workshops, “The more of the body involved, the more learning takes place.” So we want to find ways to be LESS desk/chair bound, MORE involved in the natural world.
Which brings me to the next big NVS project/educational focus: creation of a garden, greenhouse, and outdoor classroom. For the past year we have been mustering information and support to build eight raised beds so students can participate in all phases of food growth, production, and consumption. We hope to “break ground” in the spring. Students will learn to start plants from seeds, nurture seedlings along using organic and sustainable practices, and care for and harvest produce from their own garden. They’ll also learn what to do in the kitchen in preparation for the best part of all: eating the fruits of their labor. Of course they’ll need to learn about weather and animal encroachment and their impact also. If we instill in children that fast food contains processed sugars and sodium and preservatives that are brain drains and energy suppressors (and also triggers for juvenile diabetes and obesity), we need to provide the opportunity for them to experience those foods that are actually healthy for the body and the brain. What better way than to tend a garden?
The greenhouse for growing seedlings as well as some vegetables year-round is designed to be located on the currently unused second floor porch. Science students can test soil samples, experience water conservation and reuse, gather data on plant growth and production, and compare and contrast varieties.
An outdoor classroom will be invaluable in every discipline. Projects, productions, art classes, dialogues—any subject can shift from the indoor site to the outdoors as often as possible.
My grandmother’s common sense told her that getting children outdoors every day was healthy. Richard Louv’s vision is far grander: ‘vitamin nature’ can change communities by changing people, one individual at a time. That’s in harmony with the NVS Mission, and growing a garden and building a greenhouse and creating an outdoor classroom are vital extensions of that Mission. As we prepare young people for the 21st century, we would be remiss if we didn’t make them ‘nature smart.’ “The future will belong to the nature-smart—those individuals, families, businesses, and political leaders who develop a deeper understanding of the transformative power of the natural world and who balance the virtual with the real. The more high-tech we become, the more nature we need.”—Richard Louv
Charlotte G. Morgan, MEd, MFA
Head of School, New Vistas School
