Hello Lisa.

Welcome back to another edition of THE PENCIL CASE! As always, each issue focuses on a theme to encourage a fresh look at garden design and graphics. This week let's explore CHILDREN'S GARDENS.♥︎ 

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Designing landscapes for children can nurture their physical, cognitive, emotional and social development while fostering a deep connection with nature. As landscape designers, we have the opportunity to go beyond traditional play structures by crafting dynamic outdoor spaces that inspire creativity, exploration, and a lifelong love for the natural world.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR CHILDREN'S OUTDOOR SPACES

When designing for children, understanding their developmental needs can result in an engaging space, that challenges them in a variety of ways.

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Physical Development. Design outdoor elements that encourage children to run, balance, climb, and explore while developing critical physical capabilities. This could include: log pathways, boulders and hills that can be climbed and rolled down.

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Cognitive Development. Create environments that prompt curiosity, problem-solving, and hands-on learning. This could include: raised garden beds to see the plant life cycle and loose parts play with natural materials like logs, sticks, rocks, and sand that allow children to build, stack, and create.

Social + Emotional Development. Creating diverse social interaction opportunities can help children develop empathy, teamwork, and self-understanding.This could include: seating areas made from logs, stones, or benches to create natural meeting spots for conversation, storytelling, and group activities, plus small hideaways that provide safe spaces for children to self-regulate and take a break from social stimulation.

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Environmental Awareness. When children understand ecosystems and observe seasonal changes, they begin to develop a profound connection with the natural world. This could include: pollinator gardens that teach about biodiversity, using recycled materials, and experiencing the impact of composting stations.

CHILDREN'S GARDEN RESOURCES

This month we are exploring children's gardens in our membership, The Garden Design Collective. Our members shared some of the lovely resources below with our community...and I thought you may enjoy them too:

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BOOKS (please note these are affiliate links!):

Last Child in the Woods

Nature Play at Home

The Magic of Children's Gardens

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LANDSCAPE DESIGNERS

Davies White Ltd.

Lu-La Design Studio

Terra Design Studios

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BONUS RESOURCE

Natural Learning Initiative

LET'S DO THIS! 

Have you explored an impactful and engaging children's garden? How can you incorporate some of these elements into your own outdoor spaces?

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Each month we learn about a new design topic in our monthly membership, The Garden Design Collective. If you'd like to join us when it opens again in March, please join our waiting list.

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Would you like to learn a quick design tip every morning as you enjoy your cup of coffee? We've pulled together 100 for you in our 10x10 GARDEN DESIGN TIPS series for only $10.

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If you know someone that needs design inspiration, please feel free to share this newsletter. Anyone can subscribe right here. I also keep a VAULT of past issues in this secret location.

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All my best, 

Lisa 

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PAPER GARDEN WORKSHOP

Thank you to Mandy Orgler for designing the lovely graphics in all these newsletters.