Community Outreach

Infants

What We Saw: Several UW-Extension Master Gardeners came to the classroom to do a planting experience with the children. First, they read, "The Compost Book" to the children. Then they showed children the fully ripe tomatoes, peppers and onions that would grow in the "salsa garden" they would be planting. Each child was provided with a 5-gallon bucket in which the gardener helped them plant a tomato plant, a green pepper plant and onions. Each child then put labels by their plants. The children will help to care for these plants, harvest them and use them for a cooking experience. A Master Gardener will be returning in the fall to help the classroom prepare a garden for the spring.

What It Means: Teachers of young children strive to facilitate learning in many ways. One way is to seek out other adults in the community who have special skills to share with children. In this example, volunteers were delighted to help children learn about gardening and the miracle of watching things grow. This collaboration benefits the community, as it strengthens the ties between generations through a common experience of growing and sharing food.