colours provide visual appeal. Popular plants include: sunflowers, daffodils and marigolds. Hardscaping elements like mobiles, birdbaths and sculptures, mirrors or even hanging CDs can add visual stimuli as well as sunlight and shadows. Taste Have herbs like mints and chives to provide both scent and taste opportunities. Cherry tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries, edible flowers, fruit trees and the endless options of vegetables will offer the taste buds an array of choices. Potted plants don’t have to be confined to traditional pots. Be creative and use items such as old shoes, a wheelbarrow, or playground equipment. Design ideas and spaces for play Thoughtful hardscaping supports inclusivity and interactivity within the garden. Ideas to consider include paths, walls, benches, containers, decking, water fountains, bird feeders, garden art, mirrors, mobiles, wind-activated items, rocks, labyrinths and signage. Other ideas include: ● A sand box and/or a designated “dirt digging spot”. Gravel too can be a great place to dig, roll diggers over, etc. ● Integrate a sensory garden throughout a playground area, intermixed with slides or climbing structures. ● Include classroom or outdoor activities in which children help create parts of the outdoor learning environment or garden. Even young children can help plant, make a scarecrow, create a mural, water plants, or scatter birdseed. ● Create child size places, such as vine covered hide-a-ways or tunnels. Or small places for small groups of children that allow for quiet space and play. ● A traditional lawn area can provide a comfortable bed of grass. ● Encourage a sense of adventure and achievement by planting trees safe for climbing. ● Make sure that you provide spaces in your garden to shelter users from rain, sun and wind. ● Signs can be used in fun and clever ways to engage visitors in your garden who will be more inclined to interact with the plants if they know what senses are associated with each plant or area. The benefits of a Sensory Garden There are many benefits for young children including: ● Sensory development ● Calming ● Improved emotional regulation linked with mindfulness ● Encourages explorative and discovery skills ● Communication and language skills are broadened ● Allows children to engage with the environment ● Promotes the characteristics of effective learning ● Supports cognitive development ● Promotes bodily awareness ● A sense of play and creativity ● Curiosity about nature. However, sensory gardens can be of benefit to everyone and can be a wonderful resource for the whole community. There are specific individuals and groups who can especially benefit from sensory gardens. These include: ● Dementia sufferers ● Those on the autism spectrum (ASD) ● Individuals with post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) ● Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) ● Individuals with sensory processing disorder (SPD) ● Visually impaired individuals ● Individuals with brain injuries. Each of these groups have specific needs and goals that can be catered to with regular use of a sensory garden and can gain great physical and mental health outcomes as a result. Last Word Are your outdoor areas offering spaces to be calm, mindful and connected with nature? Have you included the five senses within your outdoor space design planning? If not, a lot of these ideas can be added to an already established play space. Have a think about what elements are missing in your environment and how you can plan to add these to your environment over time. December 2022 { 37 }
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