School is where children get a chance to nurture their minds and souls to become mature, intelligent adults. Besides the teaching methods and the curriculum, the environment of the school also contributes to the overall growth of a child. Children spend nearly 8 hours at school, which is why the school environment should be one that stimulates them intellectually and emotionally, while allowing for social interaction and physical development. One way to achieve the desired environment in the school is through the creation of landscaped gardens or playgrounds.
A Place For All
Well landscaped and maintained school gardens can inspire creativity in children. In addition to being accessible and inviting, the garden should also be a place that students of all ages can enjoy. More than anything, the garden should be a neutral space for observation and self-expression.
Helps Students Get Active
With a well-planned and managed school landscape, children are more likely to become and remain more active. They will feel the urge to explore, play, jump, run, and interact with the environment and the other students around them. An outdoor area allows children to escape the passive, quiet, and still environment of the classroom for a while.
Boosts Student Interest For Their Community And The Environment
When students are exposed to a well-maintained outdoor area, they are more likely to want to contribute to keeping it beautiful. Providing students with an educational area that is green and thriving, encourages their own minds to think of ways that they can help improve the beauty of their own community or home. This is also beneficial for creating awareness and empathy for other students and the organisms and plant life that thrive on the campus.
Improves Cognitive Development
The influence of landscaping on cognitive development is one of the most important advantages in educational settings. According to studies, exposure to the outdoors and green places might enhance children’s cognitive abilities and attention span. This is because people can study and learn more effectively in school due to nature’s healing atmosphere that promotes mental clarity, focus, and relaxation. Students can benefit from a more comfortable learning environment if there are trees, grass, and other types of plant life and diversity present in the school landscape.
Improved Mental And Emotional Well Being
Positive effects on emotional health are another advantage of landscaping in a school environment. Evidence shows that spending time outdoors helps kids feel less stressed, anxious, and depressed. A serene and relaxing environment with a well-planned and maintained landscape can provide pupils with improved mental and emotional well-being. Students who have trouble controlling their emotions or have mental health issues may find this extremely beneficial.
Landscaping Creates An Additional Outdoor Classroom
An outdoor classroom can also be created through landscaping. Students can have opportunities for direct learning and involvement with the natural world by having a school landscape that includes a garden, a nature walk, or other outdoor areas. A school garden, for instance, may be utilized to teach pupils about plant biology, ecology, and sustainable agriculture. A nature path can offer opportunities for the students to learn about the environment and wildlife. This engaging, hands-on learning can be an excellent way to engage pupils and make learning more enjoyable.
Safe Space To Interact and Learn
One of the most important things to consider when planning a landscaped garden for your school is safety. Keep in mind that the playground is where most of your primary and middle school children spend time during recess, which makes it all the more important that you design it for safety. Talk to your landscape architect about how you can make the garden a safe space where the little ones can play and interact with fellow-students, without compromising on other amenities you may want to include.
Also, identify the right kind of trees you should plant on the school premises to prevent allergies and other health issues that certain plants can trigger in children. When you ensure that the lawns in the school are properly maintained, accidents can be prevented. Children may not always be mindful of their surroundings in their excitement while playing. It is your duty as an administrator to make sure that the school is a safe space for all your students.
Adds To The Aesthetics of Your School
A well landscaped lawn and playground can transform the facade of your school into a brighter and better looking one. The overall aesthetics of the school will also be enhanced with the right landscaping plan, making it more interesting and invigorating for the students as well as the teachers.
In addition to enhancing the school’s and the neighborhood’s aesthetics, a well-designed and managed landscape can improve cognitive growth and emotional well-being and offer chances for hands-on learning. Public schools should prioritize landscape design and upkeep as part of their overall educational purpose and vision.
Contact Us For Quality And Safe Landscaping For Schools
For school-aged children, landscaping is essential to improving their educational experience. Students’ intellectual growth, emotional health, and overall academic achievement can all be positively impacted by a well-planned and well-maintained landscape. For landscaping ideas and tips or a full listing of our professional landscaping services, contact us at Chris James Landscaping today.