![]() The garden offers a way for children and adults to recreate a connection with nature, which is essential to health. And whilst much of my work with children in the garden is one of frantic activity and wild enthusiasm ,for children too, quiet time in the garden can be an antidote to all the noise and business of modern-day living. ![]() For example, gardening with ex-servicemen has been a tremendous success as have projects like my own with sufferers of post-natal depression. Gardening can be meditative and renewing for the spirit. What is less documented is how caring for a garden can nourish the soul too. Gardening is a stress buster and children who garden eat more healthily, evidenced by the way the school strawberry patch and cut and come again salads are attacked by hungry little hands on a regular basis. ![]() Children with access to green outdoor spaces play more creatively and are better behaved. Gardening with children is one of the easiest ways to reap the benefits nature offers. I’ve lost count of how many studies show that the outdoors remains the healthiest environment for children and adults. ![]() Above all it illustrates how working and playing outdoors can heal and restore. Amid the rambling roses and intoxicating lilies a troubled girl finds hope, her wheelchair-bound cousin learns to walk, and his father finds relief from the grief of widowhood. ![]() It’s one hundred years old this year and remains one of my favourite books. I’ve been reading ‘The Secret Garden’ with my eight year old daughter of late. ![]()
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