Hey Mama,

Besides safety, please know, that there is no “have to” in the garden. I try to reiterate this to all parents. Normally they observe this over time when they see other children.

There is no “have to” come to story.

There is no “have to” for craft, cooking, saying goodbye.

Our goal at the garden is to invite children to partake. Initiate an idea or scaffold.

If the children want to, fab.

If they want to make something different, go for it.

If they don’t want to do anything and want to stay at the mud kitchen, just as wonderful.

The space is for children to be children and all children (and people) are individuals and depending on the day, also might just not be in the mood!

We fully subscribe to the idea that we are all learning. Learning to part of a community and a gathering. Learning to be part of a group. Learning to sit and listen. Learning to play alongside other children and share. Learning to get messy. Learning about foods. Learning to observe boundaries. Learning to close our lunchboxes from the magpies.

We’d love to see you at the Golden Grove sometime soon.