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Course Objectives

After reviewing training content and answering interactive and reflective questions, you will be able to do each of the following, as assessed by online discussions and quizzes:

  1. Explain the benefits of garden-based learning
  2. Identify first steps to planning a garden in an early learning program
  3. Summarize how to build and maintain a garden 
  4. Describe how to use gardens in early learning programs for snacks, meals, and experiential learning


STARS Credit: 1.5

As of October 1, 2023, online trainings can provide Washington State providers with State Training and Registry System credits through the Continuing Education Proposal (CEP) application provided by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF). STARS credits will no longer be issued automatically upon completion of the course on the Nourished & Active website. For more information on the CEP process, please visit the FAQ page . You can also learn more about this process on the DCYF website.

The training should take about 1.5 hours to complete. 

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Overview and Introduction

    • Course Overview and Objectives

    • Training Outline

    • Check In

  • 2

    Part 1: Gardening Overview, Benefits, and Approaches

    • Gardening Overview, Benefits, and Approaches

    • Learning More About Farm to ECE

    • What Do You Think?

    • Farm to ECE Components

    • Check In

    • Why Garden (Video)

    • Benefits of Garden-Based Learning

    • Alternatives to on-site gardens

    • Cultural Diversity in Garden Activities

    • Growing Culturally Relevant Plants

    • Cultural Learning Through Foraging

    • Anti-Racist Gardening

    • Inclusive and Accessible Gardening

    • Pause and Reflect

    • Part 1 Review

  • 3

    Part 2: Gardening Step by Step

    • Gardening Step by Step

    • Gardens in Action (Video)

    • Fearless Gardening

    • Starting Your Garden

    • Create a Game Plan

    • Create a Game Plan - Establish a Vision

    • Build a Support Network

    • Assess Your Space

    • Choose a Garden Type

    • Choose a Garden Type - Square Foot Gardening

    • Check In

    • Deciding What to Grow

    • Deciding What to Grow, Continued

    • Deciding What to Grow - Themed Gardens

    • Check In

    • Set Up Your Garden

    • Gather Supplies and Volunteers

    • Set Up Your Garden - Ensuring Child Safety

    • Keep Your Garden Going - Funding Your Garden

    • Check In

    • Part 2 Review

  • 4

    Part 3: A Deeper Dive into Gardening Basics

    • A Deeper Dive into Gardening Basics

    • Gardening 101: How Plants Grow

    • Gardening 101: Common Mistakes and Pitfalls

    • Set Up Your Garden with Raised Beds

    • Set Up Your Garden with Containers

    • Set Up Indoor Gardening

    • Set Up Your Garden in the Ground

    • Soil

    • Water Set-Up (Irrigation)

    • When to Plant (Video)

    • What Do You Think?

    • Seeds or Seedlings

    • Sowing Seeds Indoors or Outdoors

    • Non-Seed Planting

    • Part 3 Review
  • 5

    Part 4: Maintaining and Using the Garden

    • Part 4: Maintaining and Using the Garden

    • Incorporating gardening into everyday routines

    • Maintaining Your Garden

    • Winter Gardening

    • Challenges Can Support Learning

    • Experiential Education in the Garden

    • Garden-based Curricula

    • Curriculum Spotlight: Grow it, Try it, Like it!

    • Curriculum Spotlight: Growing Minds

    • Garden Activities and Family Resources

    • Book Lists

    • Harvesting & Cooking with Garden-Grown Foods

    • Part 4 Review
  • 6

    Final Quiz and Wrap-Up

    • Final Quiz

    • Check In

    • Summary and Wrap-Up
  • 7

    Evaluation

    • Training Evaluation

Instructor

WA State Approved STARS Trainer

Alex Hyman

Alex Hyman is the Nutrition Coordinator on the Healthy Eating Active Living Team at the Washington State Department of Health. She is currently managing online STARS trainings for early learning providers in Washington state . Her prior experience includes providing training and technical assistance to state agencies, organizations, and ECE professionals to create healthier environments and developing training content and curriculum for ECE professionals working to improve their programs around healthy eating and physical activity goals. She received her Masters in Public Health from George Washington University in Maternal and Child Health.