Kultivating Kids! Garden Therapy That Helps All Kids Paperback - 2006

From the publisher

A 40 page book full of informative and fun ideas to bring your outdoor sensory garden to life. Whether you have a plot of land or just a patio, this guidebook walks you through how to create and experience a sensory garden. Written by two women who share their love for gardening and children, Debbie Kissel and Lu Luby. "One of the authors of Kultivating Kids, Debbie Kissel, is passionate about helping kids with Sensory Processing Disorder. Her experience and nurturing ability can be found throughout the creative hands-on activities suggested in the book.With decades of experience in early childhood, her sensitivity to those struggling to process sensory input is extraordinary. No matter where Debbie is, that is where the children flock. She gives permission to every child, to enjoy being the unique individuals that they are. Debbie's co-author, Lu Luby is just as passionate about all children being able and capable. An avid gardener herself, Lu is an artist in many medias. The garden rooms she creates are artistic, uplifting, and always contain a special place for children. Her palate of plants, contains the most sensory rich experiences whether in color, scent, sound, or texture. There is also something pragmatic in the way Lu's garden designs incorporate raised beds, wheelchair accessible paths, and multi-sensory plant material in the most important places. Add a touch of whimsy, a splash of magic and you'll be captivated by how easy it is to replicate one of Lu's plans for gardens for all children, particularly those with sensory or physical impairments. My favorite thing about Kultivating Kids is that the authors never forget that the real richness in gardening are the experiencesthat help the KIDS grow and evolve. The gardens in this book have produced beautiful bouquets, fun craft projects, and even some edible vegetables, but it is the bushels and bushels of laughter and fun that has cultivated the children most of all." Suzanne Wilkinson Occuaptional Therapist