As a teacher it’s taken a while to get my head around the fact that the kitchen garden program is as important as English and maths. “It’s my mindset that had to change, I needed to let go. This is important, and the children are learning”.
The teachers at one East Gippsland Primary School agree that the garden is great and the children are engaged and interested in the program. But not all teachers started out thinking that way. Over the course of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program (SAKGP) teachers have ‘grown’ too and have come to appreciate that the garden provides a learning time for the students that is different.
“Some of the children struggle to stay focused - which can be an issue for some students, but you can keep their attention longer in the garden. There is a start and finish and they can say ‘I did that’ “.
The teachers have noticed that the children have respect for the garden and each other and they all put in and are keen. As a result of the SAKGP the students have a better understanding of food, what it is and where it comes from by being able to grow-pick-cook-eat. They also learn about recycling and composting.
“The Stephanie Alexander program has been good and having a chef has really been an important part of the program. As the weeks have gone on I have noticed less scraps after lunch, they are eating their salads and veg”.
In an area where the culture can be feast or famine in some families, the children have learnt some valuable lessons about portion sizes, fairness and equality and through the program they can see that no one misses out.
Gippsland Lakes Community Health want schools to register now for the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program.
Submit your story!