Planning a Garden from a Child's Perspective

Abstract

Preschool children interviewed in small groups identified expected characteristics of a garden as part of a needs assessment. Vegetation that varied in color, size, and times of blooming, as well as various surfaces, animals, artifacts and opportunities for play were anticipated. The children used their own experiences, literary sources, music, and television as sources of information. Collectively, children identified the primary activities needed to maintain and use a garden. The young children's expectations were used to design and construct agarden that would have strong appeal to this age group.