In garden settings , children can become intimate with soil , sunlight , water , wind , minerals , plants and animals as well as with the unedited , all pervasive life processes that are going on around us at all times and which have given rise to all of our sciences , to literature , poetry , the arts , religion and philosophy .
and even flowers . Even the bees and ladybugs are in on these conversations and occasionally chime in with their sudden appearance . Because El Rancho Grande is not an industrial farm but rather a truck farm wherein all of its produce is slated for domestic consumption and the local farmer ’ s market , the majority of its spaces and processes are not only child friendly , but comprise an ideal place for the unfoldment of children ’ s physical and light , water , wind , minerals , plants
become intimate with soil , sun-
mental powers , to say nothing of and animals as well as with the sound value systems and fertile unedited , all pervasive life processes that are going on around us imaginations . Decades ago , María Montessori , famed Italian educa- at all times and which have given
tor and founder of the Montessori rise to all of our sciences , to literature , poetry , the arts , religion and
Schools which have been adopted the world over , recognized that philosophy . children thrive in garden settings
In garden settings , children ’ s like nowhere else . interaction and communication
In garden settings , they can can be substantive and authentic be safe but also be surrounded by because they are immersed in a pleasant stimulus and ineffable world of essential things , beings beauty . In garden settings , children can play and interact directly tings , children can be helpful and
and processes . In garden set-
with the forces that have shaped contribute to the provision of our planet and which have given important human needs such as life to its endless variety of species food and pleasant and nourishing and geological and aquatic forms . environments . In garden settings , children are able to In garden settings , children can develop
Christian and Sophia , heirs to El Rancho Grande among many others avidly picking peas .
healthy work habits which surely will serve them as they become productive members of their communities .
Most importantly , in garden settings , children learn to value , and ideally to love the living , breathing quality of our earth from the symphonic sounds of running water to the soothing quality of intense greenery and the fierce splendor of a glowing sunset . Faced with the prospect of global warming and ecological collapse , of which the current pandemic is but one small manifestation , no generation of young people has been more in need of the powerful sentiments associated with a deep regard for the earth than the current generation of children .
To my knowledge , no amount of virtual information or distance learning can firmly plant in children ’ s bodies . minds and souls , a love for the earth so profound that they will want to nurture and protect it rather than destroy it , than that which comes from the careful stewardship of the earth in real time which their immersion and participation in a garden setting makes possible .
Alejandro López is a New Mexicobased experiential educator who leads groups of children in the founding of community gardens and in the building of useful adobe or earthen structures . alej @ cybermesa . com
26 plenty I autumn harvest 2020