Growing democratic citizenship competencies: Fostering social studies understandings through inquiry learning in the preschool garden

Urban Farm DB summary

This exploratory study investigated whether 11 three- and four-year-old children in the United States could engage in social studies practices through inquiry learning in a school garden over nine months. Data from child interviews, teacher observations, and lesson plans were analyzed to correlate garden inquiries with NCSS preK-12 learning themes. Three prevalent themes emerged: Civic Ideals and Practices, People, Places, and Environments, and Time, Continuity, and Change, suggesting that school garden inquiry learning can foster democratic competencies.