Social Emotional Learning In the School Garden

Social Emotional Learning in the School Garden

This workshop took place on January 10, 2024. Please scroll down to watch a recording. 

Presenter: Fatima Seck, School Gardener, Mel King Schools

A garden, like any plot of land, is a place where life happens. There’s life & death, beauty & trash, joyous work & frustrating work. When we are attuned to these forces, we can use them to cultivate skills, memories, and experiences to empower and support young people (and their emotions!) both inside & outside of the garden. 

What are practices and habits for young people that can support social-emotional growth in a school garden environment? What broader lessons about being and life can we derive from experiences in the outdoors, and how do we impart these lessons in inviting ways to young people? How do we explore emotionally-charged feelings, conflict and events, particularly while respecting student boundaries? What are tools for navigating conflict in the garden, including rough play? What are the ways we can establish boundaries and expectations around high-risk tools and experiences outdoors? 

The garden is full of metaphors for life. In this workshop, we’ll explore ways we can teach intentionally with the wisdom — and spontaneity — of the garden, cultivating young people’s resilience and wholeheartedness outside of it.

Slide Deck (Google Slides | PDF)