We recently had the pleasure of presenting our #PullYourWeeds® Assembly to the 419 students at Oak Street Elementary School, and it was such an amazing experience. There was such a strong sense of school spirit in the air (it was crazy sock day too) which made the assembly all the more enjoyable. The staff of Oak Street was incredibly welcoming, supportive and kind, and the students were highly engaged and participatory. The students at Oak Street School are some of the most respectful, kind and engaging groups we have worked with. They are a true reflection of the wonderful culture the school's administration is nurturing. It is always so refreshing to see a community as connected as Oak Street (it starts from the top)! Without a doubt, the auditorium at Oak Street School is the most stunning and impressive venue we've ever performed at. A fun fact about Oak St. is that Meryl Street had attended the school when she was younger and had performed on the same stage as our #PullYourWeeds® assembly. Overall, the message of our program was extremely well received by the students and we know 'growing' forward all 419 children know the power of the words flowers, weeds and seeds! We would like to extend a special thank you to Principal Foley and Assistant Principal Mr. Thorp for their warm introductions and gracious applause. We also want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ms. Linda Ingling, the school's secretary, for her outstanding coordination of the event. Thank Oak Street School....you are gardeners! We can't wait to see where you 'grow'! Read Reviews Of Our #PullYourWeeds® Programs...Click Here! OAK STREET SCHOOL AUDITORIUM IN BASKING RIDGE, NJ Purchase a signed copy of our children's book, You Are a Gardner® today! To learn more about our #PullYourWeeds® SEL Assembly and Programs ...Click Here! You Are a Gardener® goes beyond the pages of a children's book, it is an entire movement dedicated to empowering children at home and in school with a vocabulary, mindset and tools to manage stress and big emotions. Join our community and embrace the power of turning challenges into opportunities for growth through connecting children, families and educators with a shared emotional language. Through our inspiring #PullYourWeeds® initiative, we encourage children and adults alike to identify emotional obstacles and transform them into seeds of resilience, strength, and personal development.

Get Tangled Up In DIY Dream Catchers: Dream catchers are a beautiful and symbolic part of Native American culture. These intricate webs are traditionally made from natural materials like willow hoops, sinew, and feathers. The belief is that the dreamcatcher would capture bad dreams, allowing only positive dreams to pass through, ensuring a restful night's sleep.They are said to have originated with the Ojibwe people, but have since been adopted by other tribes and have become popular decorative items around the world. Crafting dream catchers has been a popular craft activity for many years but that's not the only reason to get tangled up in this awesome activity. Creating DIY Dream Catchers can also have a peaceful and calming effect on gardeners of all ages. Today Gardener Kelsey is going to teach us how to make our very own Dream Catchers to help us all have sweet and flowery dreams. Scroll down to watch the step- by-step tutorial and scroll all the way down to download your Gardening Tool badge for this activity! << PRESS PLAY TO WATCH GARDENER KELSEY MAKE DIY DREAM CATCHERS >> Why Dream Catchers are the Ultimate Craft Project & a Great Gardening Tool: Creativity: Making a dream catcher allows gardeners to express their creativity by choosing their own colors, patterns, and decorations. This can help boost confidence and sense of accomplishment. Mindfulness: Creating a dream catcher requires focus and attention to detail, which can help develop mindfulness and concentration skills. This can also be a great stress-relieving activity for gardeners of all ages. Cultural significance: Dream catchers have Native American origins and are often seen as a symbol of protection and positivity. By making your own dream catcher, gardeners can learn about the cultural significance of this craft and gain a deeper appreciation for it. DIY satisfaction: There's something satisfying about creating something with your own hands. Making a dream catcher allows us to experience this sense of pride and accomplishment, which can help boost self-esteem. Decorative addition: Once the dream catcher is complete, it can be hung up in a bedroom as a decorative accessory around your classroom or home. It can serve as a reminder of creativity and mindfulness, and can also bring a sense of calmness to the room. Making a dream catcher is a fun and rewarding activity to do at home and/or in school to promote creativity, mindfulness, and cultural appreciation. We love this page from our You Are a Gardener® children's book. The way the lavender frames the fox is so sweet and nurturing. Hey gardeners, did you make your own Dream Catcher? If so, congratulations, you just earned yourself the 'DIY Dream catcher ' Gardening Tool Badge'! --> Click the badge to download a pdf sticker for your Gardening Tool Badge Collector Sheet! You Are a Gardener® goes beyond the pages of a children's book, it is an entire movement dedicated to empowering children at home and in school with a vocabulary, mindset and tools to manage stress and big emotions. Join our community and embrace the power of turning challenges into opportunities for growth through connecting children, families and educators with a shared emotional language. Through our inspiring #PullYourWeeds® initiative, we encourage children and adults alike to identify emotional obstacles and transform them into seeds of resilience, strength, and personal development. Get Tangled Up In DIY Dream Catchers

A reminder to all gardeners: As you nurture your garden, don't forget to be patient with yourself. Just like flowers and weeds coexist in a garden, you can be happy, hurting and healing all at the same time. As you continue to nurture your garden, remember that it is a process. It takes time for the seeds to grow and for the plants to flourish. Similarly, healing is also a process that takes time and patience. Here are some gardening tips (for gardeners of all ages) to help you be patient with yourself while you are in a state of emotional healing: Take breaks when you need them. Just like you take a break from tending to your garden, take breaks from your healing process when you need to and try to seek out moments of happiness. Meet up with friends, watch a funny movie, read a silly book. Don't compare yourself to others. Each garden is unique and so is each healing journey. Focus on your own progress and celebrate your own successes. Practice self-care. Just like you nourish your garden with water and sunlight, nourish yourself with things that make you feel good, such as exercise, healthy food, and hobbies. Be kind to yourself. Remember gardeners that healing is not a linear process and setbacks are normal. Treat yourself with compassion and understanding. Seek support when you need it. Just like plants need support to grow, you may need support from friends, family, or a therapist to help you through your healing journey. Your healing journey is a beautiful and worthwhile process. Be patient with yourself and trust that you will continue to grow through this at your own pace. And remember gardeners you can be happy, hurting and healing all at the same time.

Empowering Kids to Grow Emotionally with You Are a Gardener® As parents and educators, we have a responsibility to teach kids how to take care of their mental health, just like we teach them to take care of their physical health. Our children's book, "You Are a Gardener®" is a valuable resource for starting these conversations and empowering kids to grow through their challenges. Our book blossoms with gardening vocabulary and emotional metaphors that nurture open communication and stress-management skills. It is a fantastic tool to help children in developing emotional resilience, personal growth, empathy, kindness and confidence at home and in school. If you're looking for a gentle and effective way to help your child navigate their emotions and build resilience, "You Are a Gardener®" teaches kids the vocabulary, mindset, and tools they need to manage stress and anxiety, to help them cultivate a positive and fulfilling life. Purchase a copy of You Are a Gardener® today for your home or classroom and dig into raising a new generation of emotionally empowered kids! What are you waiting for...let’s Grow!

There was so much #locallove this year at Bottle Hill Day in Madison, NJ! This was our 4th year attending and we look forward to it every year! Discover the highlights of Bottle Hill Day 2023 in Madison, NJ! From record book sales to meeting new gardener friends, it was an incredible event! Gardener Highlights From Bottle Hill Day 2023: -Despite the weather, the Madison community rallied and the turnout was incredible! -We sold a record amount of books! -We met so many new gardener friends! -Many middle school students from the Madison area came to our booth and remembered our assemblies from when they were in elementary school! -Gardener Anna & Gardener Aidan had lots of friends stop by! -We were located near all the yummy food trucks! -We heard there were some Jets players walking around! Scroll down to see all the gardener goodness from Bottle Hill day in Madison, NJ 2023! Gardener Chiara, Gardener Aidan, Gardener Anna & Gardener Francesca working the booth! Kids loved our fox origami station this year! Just like gardeners, here are no two foxes alike! Madison, NJ was blossoming with good vibes on Bottle Hill Day 2023! It is so fun to see all our gardener friends come out and support us! We love spreading local seeds and meeting new gardener friends! The wind and rain did not keep the gardeners away from Bottle Hill Day! Thank you Madison, NJ aka the Rose City for another incredible event... You are gardeners! Bottle Hill Day Highlights

This Halloween, we have a fun and spooky craft that gardeners of all ages can enjoy at school or home. Our spooktacular Halloween Origami Ghost Craft make great decorations for your desk, house, or classroom. The best part is that this origami requires very little skill and very little material. All you need is origami paper and stick on googley eyes (or you can draw on the eye with marker or crayon). Just follow the step-by-step directions below. Origami can be an excellent mindfulness activity for social-emotional development both at home and in school. It's a fun and engaging way to promote focus, relaxation, and creativity. Scroll down for step-by-step instructions to make these adorable origami Halloween decorations and to download your gardening tool badge for this activity! Origami is a wonderful mindfulness activity that can be utilized for both home and school settings. It's a fun and engaging way to foster creativity, focus, and relaxation, making it an ideal ‘gardening tool’ for social-emotional development. Promoting Social-Emotional Development Through Origami: Our Go-To gardening Tool: It is a calming activity: Origami is a repetitive and soothing activity that can help to reduce stress and anxiety levels and keep your mind off your 'weeds'. The act of folding paper can be meditative and promote relaxation. It improves hand-eye coordination: Origami requires a lot of hand-eye coordination, which can help to improve this skill over time. This can be beneficial in other areas of life, such as sports or playing musical instruments. It promotes creativity: Origami allows for creativity and self-expression. There are limitless possibilities for designs and variations, which can inspire one to think outside the box and come up with unique creations. It is a low-cost hobby: All you need to practice origami is a piece of paper and your hands. This makes it an accessible hobby for anyone as a cost effective mindfulness activity . Origami is a superb mindfulness activity that can be utilized for both home and school settings. It's a fun and engaging way to foster creativity, focus, and relaxation, making it an ideal ‘gardening tool’ for social-emotional development. Hey gardeners, did you make an Origami Ghost for Halloween? If so, congratulations, you just earned yourself the 'Origami Ghost ' Gardening Tool Badge'! --> Click the badge to download a pdf sticker for your Gardening Tool Badge Collector Sheet! You Are a Gardener® goes beyond the pages of a children's book, it is an entire movement dedicated to empowering children at home and in school with a vocabulary, mindset and tools to manage stress and big emotions. Join our community and embrace the power of turning challenges into opportunities for growth through connecting children, families and educators with a shared emotional language. Through our inspiring #PullYourWeeds® initiative, we encourage children and adults alike to identify emotional obstacles and transform them into seeds of resilience, strength, and personal development. Get into the Halloween Spirit with a Fun Origami Ghost Craft

Our #PulllYourWeeds® Social Emotional Learning SEL assembly is a great addition to any elementary school curriculum. Here are some reasons why: Empowering kids with shared emotional vocabulary: Our assembly helps children learn about and understand their emotions, giving them the tools to communicate their feelings better and understand those of their peers. By having a shared emotional vocabulary, children can connect with one another on a deeper level and create a more inclusive and supportive school community. Developing emotional resilience: Through our assembly and SEL programs, children will learn how to manage stress and build emotional resilience. This is especially important in today's world, where stress and anxiety are common among young children. By giving them the tools to manage their emotions, we help them develop healthy coping mechanisms that will serve them well throughout their lives. Building confidence: Our assemblies are designed to help children build confidence in themselves and their abilities. By learning about their emotions and how to manage them, children can become more self-aware and confident in their decision-making. Fostering empathy: Our #PullYourWeeds® social emotional learning SEL assembly for elementary schools also helps children develop empathy and emotional intelligence. By learning about the emotions of others, children can better understand and connect with their peers, fostering a more compassionate and empathetic school community. Encouraging responsible decision-making: Our assembly also emphasizes the importance of responsible decision-making. By teaching children how to manage their emotions and make thoughtful decisions, we help them develop into responsible and conscientious members of society. By booking our #PullYourWeeds SEL Assembly For Your Elementary School, you can help your students develop the emotional intelligence and resilience they need to succeed both academically and personally. Don't hesitate to get your school on our schedule today! Email us today at flowers@youareagardener.com

You Can Be a Kind Gardener & Still...Self-Care and Self-Respect Go Hand in Hand As gardeners, at times we be our own worst critics. We may look at our gardens and see only the imperfections and weeds, rather than focusing on the beauty that we have created and nurtured. It's important that we recognize when we have this negative self-talk and take steps to be kinder to ourselves. When we are kind to ourselves, we are more likely to be kind to others as well. By showing ourselves love and care, we can share these positive qualities with other gardeners and promote a culture of kindness and empathy. <> Remember gardeners, you can be a kind gardener and still... -Disagree with someone. -Say no to an invitation or cancel plans. -Make a mistake. -Set boundaries for yourself. -Be upset or in a bad mood. -Stick up for yourself. Being kind to ourselves is at the very root of self-respect and self-care. When we prioritize our own needs and take care of ourselves, we are showing ourselves respect. This gardeners, can help us feel more confident and empowered when we interact with others. Click here for our Positive Self-Talk Activity Sheet to use at home with your family or in school with your students and to collect your Gardening Tool Badge for this activity! You Are a Gardener® goes beyond the pages of a children's book, it is an entire movement dedicated to empowering children at home and in school with a vocabulary, mindset and tools to manage stress and big emotions. Join our community and embrace the power of turning challenges into opportunities for growth through connecting children, families and educators with a shared emotional language. Through our inspiring #PullYourWeeds® initiative, we encourage children and adults alike to identify emotional obstacles and transform them into seeds of resilience, strength, and personal development. You Can Be a Kind Gardener & Still... Self-Care and Self-Respect Go Hand in Hand

Building emotional resilience and self-confidence plays a huge part in the foundation of a child's mental health and well-being. Today gardeners, we came up with a list of 12 Things Gardeners of all Ages Need to Hear More Often. These encouraging and effective confidence boosters can help kids and gardeners of all ages to develop a positive self-image, build emotional strength and turn weeds into seeds! “I am so proud of who you are.” “You always make me smile.” “I love how creative you are.” “I am always here for you.” “Your ideas matter.” “Thank you for working so hard.” “You make a great leader.” “I am grateful for you everyday.” “I always believe in you.” “You make me a better person.” “You were right.” “You are so loved.” By implementing some of these confidence boosters into your daily conversations, parents, teachers and caregivers can help children (or gardeners of all ages) to develop emotional resilience and build on their self-confidence! 12 Things Gardeners of all Ages Need to Hear More Often: Confidence Boosters For Kids

Hello Gardeners! Today Gardener Kelsey is going to create a Flawless Fall Floral bouquet (say that 3 times fast-haha) effortlessly with a DIY Flower Frog with only oven baked clay and a pen. Making your own flower frog is a relaxing activity that can have many social-emotional benefits for gardeners of all ages. It allows you to personalize your floral arrangements, save money, promote sustainability, exercise your creativity, and feel a sense of accomplishment. These DIY Flower Frogs are great to make for Thanksgiving centerpieces! Scroll down to watch the video and learn how to make your own today! Press play to learn how to make your own flower frog for floral arrangements Making your own flower frogs is a great way to make flawless floral arrangements with little to no effort! Here are some tips on how to make your own flower frogs and create flawless fall floral arrangements: Grab some oven baked clay and a pen and use the cap to make holes in your clay. Preheat the oven to 265 and bake for about 12-15 minutes. Another option is to use floral foam as a base for your flower frog. Soak the foam in water until it is fully saturated. Cut the foam to fit inside your vase or container, leaving some space for stems to be inserted. Once you have your flower frog in place, start adding your fall blooms. Some great options for fall include dahlias, mums, sunflowers, and asters. Use a variety of colors and textures to create a visually interesting arrangement. Don't be afraid to mix in some foliage or other natural elements like branches or berries. These can add depth and dimension to your arrangement. When placing your stems, start with the larger blooms and work your way down to the smaller ones. This will help ensure that your arrangement looks balanced and visually pleasing. Finally, don't forget to trim your stems at an angle and change the water every few days to keep your flowers looking fresh and beautiful. By making your own flower frog and using fresh, seasonal blooms, you can create stunning fall floral designs with ease, appreciation and gratitude. Hey gardeners, did you make your own Fall Flower Frog? If so, congratulations, you just earned yourself the 'DIY Fall Flower Frog ' Gardening Tool Badge'! --> Click the badge to download a pdf sticker for your Gardening Tool Badge Collector Sheet! Hey gardeners, we would love to see your flawless fall bouquets! Send us your photos to flowers@youareagardener.com ! You Are a Gardener® goes beyond the pages of a book,it is an entire movement dedicated to empowering children at home and in school. Join our community and embrace the power of turning challenges into opportunities for growth through connecting children, families and educators with a universal shared emotional language. Through our inspiring #PullYourWeeds® initiative, we encourage children and adults alike to identify their emotional obstacles and transform them into seeds of resilience, strength, and personal development. Gardener Kelsey’s DIY ‘Flower Frog’ for Flawless Fall Bouquets

Hello gardeners! Today we are sharing some scary good snack ideas for your leftover or stale bagels. Our BOOtiful Bagel Chips recipe is fun for the whole family to make and enjoy! The magic of turning an old bagel into a new snack is a fun trick that gardeners of all ages will love. Scroll down to get the recipe for these frighteningly yummy bagel chips and tricky ways you can enjoy this tasty treat! Plus, scroll all the way down to download your Gardening Tool Badge for this activity! BOOtiful Everything Bagel Chip Recipe -Slice stale bagels into thin chips -Drizzle with oil and toss -Sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning or your favorite salty spices BOOtiful Cinnanmon & Sugar Bagel Chip Recipe -Slice stale bagels into thin chips -Drizzle with 2tbsps of melted butter and toss -Sprinkle generously with cinnamon sugar Bake at 375 for 10-15 minutes until they turn golden brown. Note if you are only using one cookie sheet they will cook faster around 10-12 minutes and 2 cookie sheets will take about 12-15 minutes. Store your bagel chips and/or croutons in airtight container for up to weeks. Scary Good Serving Ideas For Everything Bagel Chips: -Dip into hummus -Top With Ham & Cheese and melt in the broiler (or pepperoni & cheese) -Pile on some bruschetta -A lunch snack -Spread on some lox and cream cheese and capers -Spoon on some artichoke or spinach dip Frighteningly Tasty Ideas For Cinnamon Sugar Everything Bagel Chips: Serve with our Cream Cheese, Caramel & Toffee Spread -Top with a nut butter & apple slice -Serve with a yogurt dip -Spread on some brie cheese cheese and drizzle with hot honey Bonus Gardeners Tip: We took some of the extra bagels chunks and cut them into cubes for croutons. Just drizzle with oil, salt and pepper and bake at 375 for 12-15 minutes BOOtiful Bagel Chips : Scary good snack ideas for stale bagels Hey gardeners, did you turn stale bagels into bagel chips? If so, congratulations, you just earned yourself the 'Stale Bagels 2 Bagel Chips' Gardening Tool Badge'! --> Click the badge to download a pdf sticker for your Gardening Tool Badge Collector Sheet! You Are a Gardener® goes beyond the pages of a book,it is an entire movement dedicated to empowering children at home and in school. Join our community and embrace the power of turning challenges into opportunities for growth. Through our inspiring #PullYourWeeds® initiative, we encourage children and adults alike to identify their emotional obstacles and transform them into seeds of resilience, strength, and personal development.

Our #PullYourWeeds® SEL assemblies, workshops and professional development (PD) for teachers is a wonderful way to plant some healthy SEL seeds at your school all year round! Scroll down and dig into the The Top 10 Benefits Of The #PullYourWeeds® SEL Services & Programs! The Top 10 Benefits of the #PullYourWeeds® SEL Services & Programs (Assemblies, Workshops, Teacher Programs) 1 Keeps the lines of communication open 2 Encourages self-regulation skills 3 Explores new coping strategies 4 Cultivates empathy & kindness 5 Nurtures self-confidence 6 Increases self-awareness 7 Teaches problem solving skills 8 Promotes healthy decision making 9 Improves relationship skills 10 Builds a positive SEL foundation Are you looking for more information on our elementary school assemblies and workshops? Click Here to read more! <>