Planting Seeds: Fostering Preschool Children’s Interactions with Nature and Enhancing Intergenerational Relationships in a Campus Community Garden

Abstract

Since 2015, children aged 3–6 years attending a childcare centre on a university campus in western Canada have been part of an intergenerational community gardening initiative called Planting Seeds. This article provides an overview of the project to date and explores the positive outcomes for children who took part, namely, the fostering of intergenerational relationships, an increased understanding of where food comes from, and an enhanced knowledge of planting, nurturing, growing, and consuming plants, including food (herbs, fruits, and vegetables).