

Seeding in Pods and Signs as Memories
"Gardens and children need the same things - patience, love, and someone who will never give up on them." —Nicolette Sowder As an educator, I wonder (and sometimes worry) if what I teach today will have an impact tomorrow. Creative expressions, social emotional learning/awareness, mindfulness, ecophilia, and nature wonderment are just a few elements I bring to educational spaces; like seeds, growing during our time together, and perhaps beyond. When considering how best to re

Mindfulness in Nature at the Growing Center
On March 14, the Growing Center hosted Zeenat Potia, a local meditation and mindfulness teacher, for Being in Nature: Mindfulness for Children on Zoom. This program was the third in our series examining the important role nature can play in mental health. Warmly engaging, Zeenat shared how being mindful of moments in nature can help children (and adults) notice day-to-day feelings, observations, and how to handle difficult emotions. She used song, movements, animal yoga, brea