Sights, Scents and Smiles: Children’s Education Center Students Explore Wheatley Farms’ New Sensory Garden
Joy and curiosity were in full bloom as preschoolers from the BCCS Education Center explored the new Outdoor Learning Garden at Wheatley Farms and Arts Center. At the May 21 opening, students eagerly sniffed and gently picked fragrant rosemary and citronella.
They also experienced the pleasure of planting basil, marigold, tomatoes, and other garden favorites. Led by Kim Nistal, Farm Education Manager, students took part in a hands-on planting activity choosing seeds and placing them carefully in color-coded areas of soil.
As they spent time in the garden, the students built both fine motor and cognitive skills through playful learning. They counted ladybug and bumblebee decorations, as well as spent time enjoying the scent garden plot containing a mixture of plants with different aromas.
“This garden brings a lot of sensory opportunities,” said Denise Gaughan, the Children’s Education Center Director. “They’re feeling the flowers. They’re smelling the different herbs. They’re getting to put their hands in the dirt. Soon, they’ll have the chance to watch things grow.”
Visits to the sensory learning garden will become a regular activity for Ed Center students. Each class will have weekly visits to the garden to care for and nurture the growing plants. Other plots contained vegetables, perennials, and fruits, all neatly planted and ready for students to experience as they grow over the summer months.
The garden and its shed were made possible from a generous $15,000 donation from the North Woodmere/Valley Stream Auxiliary of AHRC Nassau. This year’s gift marks the culmination of four years of dedicated effort. The resulting garden beautifully reflects growth and nature, inspiring in students a love of learning and connection to nature.