Discovering the Garden in Early Childhood

Audience: Anyone interested or involved in garden-based learning with children ages 3-6.

Location and Cost Options:

Life Lab's Garden Classroom on the UC Santa Cruz Campus: $150/participant

Your school site: $1,500/day plus travel for 1 trainer. 25 participant maximum.

Workshop Description:

This one-day workshop, located at the amazing Garden Classroom or at your school site, is designed to give you the opportunity to see the garden through the eyes of a young child. Learn to set up a garden space that will encourage children to explore, ask questions, and connect to the natural world around them. Learn activities to engage children’s curiosity and enthusiasm while introducing them to fundamental ideas in environmental science.

Key Workshop Components
Learn ...
o Lessons that introduce young children to the properties of soil, seeds, plants, and animals
o Songs and books that connect to garden lessons
o Gardening design elements and techniques that are specifically effective for young children

Take home ...
o Sowing the Seeds of Wonder, a 120-page activity guide for children ages 3-6.

Participant Comments:
Great hands-on activities; great balance of listening and doing; delicious foods; amazing garden space; a wealth of written resources!

I got inspiration and reinforcement of our garden and nature activities, and new ideas to expand the garden environment.

The program was more than I expected. I valued the integrity of the program and its long history.

A wonderful day, and I will use what I learned in my class for years to come.

I valued the great ideas from presenters and the interaction with experienced early childhood education teachers.

I spent a lovely day in a lovely garden and met lovely people. I loved it all. Thanks!

View all scheduled upcoming workshops here.

All workshops require advanced registration and deposit.

To set up a workshop for your school site, pleas call Life Lab Science Program at (831) 459-4035 or email us at gardendirector@ucsc.edu.