More information
“To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul” – Alfred Austin
Gardening is more than putting a plant in the ground, giving it water, and hoping it will grow. Engaging tamariki in regular gardening experiences provides the perfect opportunity to support emotional resilience. Gardening enhances tamariki connections to nature, teaching respect and care for themselves, the living world and each other.
This workshop will:
- Investigate current research about the benefits of gardening for health and well-being
- Examine the wider benefits of gardening for tamariki learning and holistic development
- Discuss how gardening helps tamariki make connections to Papatūānuku
- Provide practical ideas to engage tamariki in gardening
Facilitator: Anita Croft
This workshop will be recorded and sent to all registrants.

Anita Croft
Anita Croft is the the owner and educator of Growing Kiwi Gardeners. She is a qualified early childhood teacher and holds a Master of Education degree where she studied pre-service early childhood teachers' preparedness to teach education for sustainability.
Based in Christchurch, Growing Kiwi Gardeners runs a hands-on gardening programme for tamariki in early childhood services, and consultation on gardening and sustainable practices. Anita also offers a fully supported12-month online gardening programme designed for kaiako and/or services starting out in their gardening curriculum that is available to early childhood services across Aotearoa.
To further support kaiako and services to be successful in their gardening and sustainability practices, Anita offers specialised professional learning and development that is available through webinars, workshops, and whole-centre professional learning tailored to your centre needs.
Registration information
- $70 for ECC Members
- $140 for non members
Any cancellations made more than 24 hours in advance of the workshop will incur a 10% administration fee. Any cancellations made within 24 hours of the workshop will not be eligible for a refund. We will endeavour to provide as much advance notice of a change as is possible, but we cannot accept responsibility for staff time or backfilling positions