Student reflections on empowering ECD educators to integrate sensory gardens in schools

Abstract

This article reports on efforts to empower ten early childhood development (ECD) educators on the concept of sensory gardens in 2023. This project builds on another project launched in 2022. During the 2022 sessions, ECD practitioners were taught the basic concepts of sensory gardens. Ten ECD practitioners interested in including aspects related to sensory gardens in their ECD centers in 2022 were invited to the training sessions by fourteen ECD students. The participants were encouraged to develop interactive elements for their gardens and incorporate them into their ECD centers. A qualitative approach was employed in which the students reflected on the training they provided to the ECD practitioners. The study revealed that training ECD practitioners to incorporate aspects of sensory gardens into their ECD centers positively impacted the students’ overall learning experience and development. The study provides valuable insights into the benefits of integrating sensory gardens into ECD centers and their potential for promoting holistic development in students in the ECD phase.