MASTER GARDENER CICI LEONARD SAYS ABOUT INSPIRING KIDS’ SENSE OF WONDER THROUGH GARDENING: “IF THEY PLANT IT, THEY’LL EAT IT.”
1 Children who learn about healthy food are inspired to make more nutritious food choices. Studies demonstrate a link between exposure to gardening and vegetable consumption by children, according to the International Junior Master Gardener Program. Master gardener Ceci Leonard, who developed and leads the Oklahoma County Extension Junior Master Gardener program at nine metro schools says: “If they plant it, they’ll eat it.” Even children who don’t typically like vegetables may become curious enough to try a carrot or some lettuce with a little ranch dressing. Community gardens with access to free, fresh food can be life-sustaining for children with limited family resources. Restore OKC’s Restore Farms Director Ann Miller established the nonprofit organization’s partnership with two northeast Oklahoma City elementary schools, Thelma Parks and Martin Luther King, to develop classroom gardens. Miller says children are often surprised
to learn that vegetables don’t originate at the grocery store. Teachers knew the school gardens provided value when they encountered two students fighting over recently-harvested radishes. 2 Gardens provide a refreshing change of pace from classroom learning. Children are typically most engaged through hands-on learning, and students who struggle academically may excel in an outdoor, interactive classroom. Joel Bramhall, education director at Myriad Botanical Gardens, describes the unique partnership between John Rex Charter School and the Myriad as the only one of its kind anywhere—an urban school in a botanic garden. Prior to the traditional school year being cut short, as Garden Groundbreakers, John Rex students were involved in experiential enrichment with a weekly gardening curriculum including plant structure and processes, environmental stewardship and healthy eating during their instructional day. Bramhall recalls a student remarking, “Some
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METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / SUMMER 2020 13
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