Social and therapeutic horticulture
Social and therapeutic horticulture is extremely beneficial for all children , but particularly those with special educational needs. It provides an opportunity to demonstrate competence and for children to feel successful. Most horticultural activities involve simple stages which produce a meaningful product, and one which is comparable to the modelled example. The horticultural setting of a garden area can in itself reduce anxiety and provide a physical outlet for children who struggle in a classroom environment.
Spring / Summer
Most of spring and summer is spent sowing, planting out, weeding, harvesting and enjoying the wildlife of a full flower border. It's a great time for identification activities such as pond dipping, bee and butterfly spotting and wildflower walks.
Stoneydown's entry for the RHS competition: Walk on the wild side.
Crocus bulbs planted by children in Autumn.
An annual wildflower mix including corn marigold, corn chamomile and corncockle.
This was made by Stoneydown children to brighten up our courtyard area.
A peg butterfly made from reusing old pegs, plastic and pipe cleaners.
Runner beans racing up the poles at Stoneydown.
A common carder bee visiting a cosmos flower.
A crab spider battling with a bee!
Autumn/ Winter
There's still lots of harvesting to be done, plus bulb planting, wildflower sowing and planting beans, onions and garlic. The winter months provide opportunities for crafts: sign making, bug hotel construction, willow weaving and border design.
Stoneydown's first bug hotel! Every year the children in gardening club add elements to their bug hotels.
An insect hotel created for the junior playground.
A switch off poster made for energy month.