Permaculture garden in kindergarten: a place where children learn and develope a positive attitude towards plant food

In these high tech times and times of mass food production, where the predominant demand is to get food as quickly and as cheaply as possible, we are slowly going back to nature and to being self-sufficient. Which is already a luxury in the modern pace of life and the difficult pressures we are sometimes exposed to. In this undergraduate thesis I wanted to explore the meaning of self-sufficiency and deepen the knowledge of plant-based food. Children in this day and age do not have a lot of opportunities to to see and experience first hand how food is grown and this knowledge can be of vital importance. We worked on a permaculture garden with children in day care and observed the entire food production process from the crop until food preparation. With permaculture gardening the following main principles are taken into consideration: planting different cultures, composting, organic gardening, mulching and natural methods of exterminating and protection against vermin. With this type of a garden the children have the opportunity to get to know how food can be grown in a nature-friendly way. By conducting a short study I attempted to research existing knowledge, prior experience and attitude towards plant-based food, how gardening in pre-school influences the knowledge children have with regard to the origin of plant based food and the attitude towards it and how getting children involved with a pre-school garden can be used to to encourage child development in other areas as well. Data was gathered using individual interviews with children, a survey for the parents and by documenting the entire growing process. The results of my study have shown that gardening helps to develop the entire child. A progress is seen in establishing a positive attitude towards plant-based food and the enjoyment of it, as the children have come to realize the origin of their food are once living organisms. Progress has also been shown in the knowledge of different plants and their qualities, organic way of farming and the influence this has on the quality of the crops. Garden activities have also helped children develop work habits. The response from children and parents alike has been extremely positive and has inspired me to pursue working with children in this area