The School Garden in the Care of the Environment and Nutrition in the Area of Natural Sciences

Abstract

In industrialized countries, intensive agriculture and current eating habits are increasingly having harmful effects on our health and the environment, while many underdeveloped countries do not have the means and training to achieve agriculture capable of feeding all people sufficiently and safely. Together, we can ensure that school gardens play a significant role in the fight against these problems that threaten today's society: food insecurity and climate change. To this end, it is necessary to promote habits that improve health, such as a healthier diet, and nutritional, agricultural and environmental education that makes children aware of the need to change things, since future actions and measures to eradicate these problems depend on them. The objectives of school gardens should be aimed at responding to these problems and needs. According to FAO and other national and international agencies, they should be as follows: Improve the quality of education through a more dynamic pedagogy that includes multidisciplinary curricula that combine theoretical, practical and livelihood skills. Strengthen practical skills in agriculture and horticulture through the creation and maintenance of home gardens. Provide active education by linking horticulture to play and recreation, as well as to other subjects such as mathematics, biology, reading and writing. Provide practical lessons in nutrition that promote the production and consumption of healthy foods and a healthy lifestyle. Increase access to education by attracting families to schools that address issues that affect their daily lives. Increase the nutritional quality of the food eaten by children and reduce the number of children who are malnourished or inadequately fed. Improve children's attitudes and knowledge of agriculture and rural life. Educate in environmental sensitivity, contributing to the sustainability of the planet through the inclusion of environmental and ecological training. Offer students an instrument of survival or support for the family economy in times of food shortages or economic difficulties. Especially in underdeveloped countries, increase school attendance and, in many households, compensate for the absence of parents in terms of the transfer of knowledge necessary for the vital development of children and young people. Promote income-generating opportunities. In cities, improve the urban environment and sustainability.