Edible Playground

Edible Playgrounds
 
We have been working in partnership with Trees for Cities to develop part of our school grounds into an 'Edible Playground'
 
Edible Playgrounds offer a lively, engaging, multi-sensory way to teach children about growing and eating healthy food. Aside from the physical health benefits that eating well brings, learning in an outdoor environment combats Nature Deficit Disorder and has been shown to increase mental health by boosting mood, confidence and self-esteem. Furthermore, allowing the children to connect with nature develops attentiveness and self-reliance in the pupils, leading to more sustainable behaviours in the long term. 

What Is an Edible Education at Hawthorn?

Food is the perfect teacher. Every discipline— math, science, the humanities—comes to life in the garden or kitchen classroom. At Hawthorn we realise how important it is to feed childrens’ minds as well as their bodies.

Children learn by doing. The hands-on experience of growing and preparing food teaches children the value of real work, collaboration, and caretaking. We believe that our children thrive in nature. We are trying to give our children the experience of growing food, cook, eating together, and returning nutrients to the soil, ready to begin the cycle again.

 

How we want our children to feel during Edible Playground sessions:

I can do this.

I know how I can be successful.

I have the ability to grow and develop my skills, knowledge, and abilities through effort and practice.

It is okay not to know.

When I encounter a problem, don’t know something, or feel unsure, I know how to get the support I need to figure it out.

 

 

 

Features of our Edible Playground

Cold frames

The cold frames allow the children to propagate plants for the garden.  In their cold frames the children can propagate plants by sowing seeds  taking cuttings.

Compost Bins

We compost garden scraps and food scraps from snacks in our compost bins. The children are able to observe the different stages of decomposition and understand the importance of composting food waste to make it into a valuable resource we can re use.  

Worm Bin  

Our worm bin is a plastic stack of trays that are used for decomposing food scraps. Here, the children learn about the importance of worms as decomposers and harvest worm castings to enhance our soils.

Tool Sheds

All our garden tools and equipment live in the Tool Sheds. Children can independently choose and put away garden tools. They learn how to handle them safely and develop their skills and tool knowledge as they move through the school.

Rainwater Catchment System

We have a catchment tank that allow us to capture water every time it rains. Children can learn here about water conservation and recycling.

Orchard

We have a small orchard in the school grounds comprising about 6 fruit trees. The fruit is harvested and used in lessons whenever possible.