Transcript Document

The Benefits Children and Families Gain by
Involvement in Community Gardens
Amelia Ortiz, Dr. Tim Reutebuch: Social Work Department
University of Wisconsin – Whitewater
Introduction
This study will explore the significance of
encouraging children and families to
participate in outdoor activities such as
joining a community garden. Gardening
could be a beneficial approach to
teaching children to become selfsustainable and, at the same time, to help
create a sense of community and unity
that transcends all generations. This
study will investigate the prospects for
allowing children to appreciate the
process of growing their own food and
preparing it for consumption. This is a
new project located near the Business
Park area in Whitewater , WI.
Results
Breaking Ground
.
Methods
•Extensive review of current literature.
•Working with the children in the garden
and observing the attitudes before and
after their garden experience.
•Documenting the observations may
illuminate if there are any positive or
negative changes in the children’s
attitudes and behaviors.
•Interviewing the parents and children on
why they decided to join the garden and
their overall experience.
Harvested Garden
Benefits of Community Gardens
•Provides a variety of fresh vegetables
and
fruits.
.
•Focusing on any children or parents who
did not feel they benefited from
gardening, while working on ways to
improve the gardening experience for all
involved.
•Promotes healthier lifestyle, rather than
sedentary lifestyle.
Hypotheses
•Helps stimulate children’s creativity and
imagination about nature.
It is anticipated through research and
participant feedback that gardening will
be viewed as therapeutic, will encourage
a healthier way of living, and potentially
change how these young children
perceive nature.
•Encourages family bonding as a typical
family activity.
•Integrates all age groups.
•Provides access to those that may not
have land, to garden, and produce their
own food.
•Underscores previous research that
illustrates exposure to green space
reduces stress and increases a sense of
wellness and belonging.
Children’s Garden Activities
45 minutes to an hour of ground work:
planting, harvesting, watering, and weeding.
Snack Break.
Acknowledgements
Dr. Tim Reutebuch; McNair Scholars Program;
Whitewater Community Garden participants;
Dr. Nelia Olivencia.
Whitewater Community Garden
(WCG) Summer 2009
45 minutes to an hour of activity: rock
painting, tie-dyeing, and making garden
accessories.