Rooted in Respect: Gardening with Children at Our Montessori Summer Camp
At Ambassador Kids Montessori, our summer camp curriculum is designed to cultivate more than just academic growth we help children grow in wonder, responsibility, and appreciation for the natural world. One of our favorite ways to do that is through gardening.
In the photo above, I’m showing one of our campers how to gently squeeze the base of a plant before replanting it in our garden. It's more than just a gardening technique it's a moment of mindfulness and respect. Children quickly learn that plants are living things, and just like us, they thrive when treated with gentleness, care, and attention.
As a Christian Montessori educator, I love introducing kids to where real food comes from. So many children only see fruits and vegetables once they’re chopped up on a plate. But here, in our garden beds, they see that tomatoes grow on vines, carrots push up from the earth, and basil releases its fragrance when touched with love.
This hands-on experience helps children connect with the natural world in a way no worksheet or video ever could. And Montessori education teaches us to respect the child’s innate curiosity gardening is one of the best ways to nurture that curiosity with real-life results.
Why Gardening Matters in Montessori Education
Gardening is a core part of Practical Life in the Montessori curriculum. It teaches responsibility, patience, and problem-solving and it provides children with daily opportunities to practice observation, care, and independence. From choosing the right plant to checking if the soil needs water, every step is an invitation to learn.
We talk about what plants need to grow just like people they need food, water, air, and sunlight. It’s amazing to see a child’s face light up when they realize that plants breathe too, just in their own way. When we water a seedling or gently press soil around its roots, we’re not just helping it grow we’re helping our children grow, too.
A Montessori Touch: Teaching Gentle Hands
One of my favorite parts of gardening with young children is teaching them how to use “gentle hands.” I show them how to hold the plant carefully, to avoid bruising its leaves or damaging the stem. It’s not just a gardening lesson it’s a life skill. Through this, children develop empathy, self-control, and a deeper respect for living things.
They begin to realize that their actions matter. That how we treat plants is just as important as how we treat people. And that small acts of kindness, even to a tiny seedling, have a big impact.
Real Lessons from Real Plants
This summer, we planted tomatoes, peppers, basil, and marigolds just to name a few. The children learned that tomatoes love extra calcium, so we added crushed eggshells to the soil. They were fascinated to learn that we weren’t just feeding the plant we were giving it exactly what it needs to grow strong fruit.
We also talked about companion planting, a natural way to help plants support one another. For example, basil and tomatoes grow well together, and marigolds help keep pests away. I like to call it the garden trio, and the children loved matching the plants and learning who “likes” to grow next to who it’s a great lesson in friendship and cooperation, too!
Instead of using harsh chemicals, we use natural deterrents and nutrition, which ties right back into Montessori’s principles of peace and care for the environment.
The Bigger Picture: Growing Food and Faith
As we garden, we talk about God’s design how everything has a purpose, and how amazing it is that a tiny seed can turn into something that nourishes our bodies. We often pause to say a quick prayer of thanks for the rain, the soil, or even the bugs that help pollinate the plants.
We teach that growing food is a gift and a responsibility. It’s a chance to learn patience, to problem-solve when something goes wrong, and to celebrate when the first fruits appear.
More Than Just Plants What Children Really Grow in the Garden
Here’s what children are really learning in our Montessori summer garden:
Science & Nature: Understanding how plants grow, what they need, and how ecosystems work
Nutrition: Learning how real food is grown and why it’s better for our bodies
Responsibility: Remembering to water and care for their assigned plant each day
Sensory Exploration: Feeling different textures, smelling herbs, watching worms, and observing change over time
Emotional Development: Practicing patience, compassion, and celebration of small wins
Faith in Action: Seeing God’s hand in creation and learning to be a good steward of it
A Garden of Grace, Right in Our Backyard
At Ambassador Kids Montessori, our garden is more than just a space with soil it’s a classroom without walls. A place where we blend Montessori education, Christian values, and joyful learning into one unforgettable summer experience.
With small group sizes, each child gets the chance to truly engage not just observe. They dig, they water, they whisper encouragement to their plants. And when a cherry tomato finally ripens or a pepper turns red, you can feel their pride bloom right alongside the harvest.
Whether your child is new to gardening or already loves the outdoors, our summer camp offers something special a chance to grow something real, both in the soil and in their hearts.
Join Us for a Summer That Grows with Purpose
Summer is short but the seeds we plant now will keep growing long after the season ends. If you're looking for a Montessori summer camp in Fort Lauderdale that blends outdoor learning, hands-on discovery, and a foundation of faith and respect, we invite you to come grow with us.
Enrollment is open, and space is limited. Let’s plant the seeds for a beautiful future together.
