When people talk about early childhood education, some people often have a narrow view of what that is referring to namely center based childcare programs and preschools. However, early childhood education is much more than that. Well-funded public libraries are an important part of the early education ecosystem. Safe, well maintained,  and  fun public  playgrounds are part of early childhood education.

This post is about another aspect of the early education ecosystem which might not quickly come to mind when we talk about early childhood education and that is community gardens. Research has shows that gardening improves all aspects of young children’s development. “One study showed that children who participated in gardening projects scored higher in science achievement than those who did not. The wonder of seeing a garden grow may spark your kids to ask questions like: Why do the plants need sun? How does the plant “drink” water? Why are worms good for the plants? Soon you will be talking about soil composition, photosynthesis and more.” In addition, “Active involvement in a garden can also make kids more willing consumers of vegetables, including unfamiliar varieties.” In general it can be reasonably argued that there is not more knowledge fundamentally important for humans then learning about growing food and where food comes from.

However, many children do not have access to gardens at home or school. That’s is where community gardens can fill this important void and support early childhood development. A pilot study found “an increase in availability and consumption of fruits and vegetables among families participating in community gardens.” All of this shows that investing in community gardens is a way to invest in early childhood education.

Right now, COVID-19 has negatively disrupted every aspect of life. Research is showing being outside and getting fresh air is a good way to avoid COVID-19. There are some additional safety guidelines related to community gardens that have also recently been released.

Below are some videos about community gardens and the benefits of gardens for young children.