A child observing the flowers on the tree with binoculars in the school garden
(Photo credit: Chuwei Kong)

By Chuwei Kong, and Jin Chen.

Read the full paper here.

Children’s individual interest in nature is crucial for their mental well-being and the development of their conservation attitude. In this study, we utilized a school garden and implemented a four-month teaching program. We then investigated the garden and teaching program’s effect on children’s interest in nature. The school garden provided a safe and easily accessible environment with a variety of plant species, including both native and exotic plants. With the support of teachers and the autonomy given to students, the program significantly fostered children’s interest in nature.  

We conducted the study in a primary school in Yunnan province of southwest China. The school had a 700 m2 garden with more than 100 plant species, which was in place prior to the program. The teaching program consisted of weekly activities lasting 40 minutes. The program lasted for four months and a total of 24 fourth-grade students participated. To assess their progress, we created individual portfolios for each student, which included questionnaires before, during, and after the program, nature journals, observations, and interviews.

The results of our study revealed that the school garden, with its unique and safe environment, played a significant role in stimulating children’s curiosity about the creatures in the garden. It provided an exciting and novel space for exploration. The support and guidance from teachers, as well as social interactions during and after the activities, further enhanced the learning experience. These factors combined to cultivate the children’s individual interests in nature.

Our study highlights the positive effects of involving children in garden-based activities within primary schools. By providing appropriate support and autonomy for exploration, school gardens have the potential to awaken children’s interest in nature. This study emphasizes the importance of utilizing school gardens as valuable resources to inspire and engage children in the wonders of the natural world, while also providing a framework for interest education.