Getting kids involved in the kitchen is not only a great way to bond with them, but it also teaches them important life skills and promotes healthy eating habits. Our Sweet & Simple Fall Snack with Cream Cheese, Caramel & Toffee Spread is the perfect recipe to get them started and dig into a fun, fall treat with minimal ingredients. Scroll down to get the recipe, read some fun facts about apples, learn more about Gardener Anna and scroll all the way down to collect your Gardening Tool Badge for this activity! Here's how to make our Cream Cheese, Caramel & Toffee Spread: Block of cream cheese Caramel sauce Toffee bits Apple slices (and/or pears) & Pretzels, for serving Drizzle some caramel at the bottom of dish, put a block of cream cheese on tip, drizzle with caramel, top with toffee and serve with apples (or pears) and pretzels! Some Fun Facts About Apples: Apples are a great source of fiber, which can help with digestion and keep you feeling full. Apples are also a good source of vitamin C, which is important for a healthy immune system. There are over 7,500 different varieties of apples grown around the world. Apples are a member of the rose family, along with pears, peaches, plums, and cherries. The old saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" may have some truth to it. Studies have found that eating apples regularly may help lower the risk of certain diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer. Apples float in water because they are made up of 25% air. The beautiful thing about this recipe is you can dip with sweet or salty...Gardener Anna chose to dip with apples and Gardener Aidan went with pretzels...can you guess which one Gardner Diamond (our dog) would like? If you guessed all of it..you would be right :) Hey gardeners... did you know that You Are a Gardener® was written for Gardener Anna when she was only 7 years old? At that time, Gardener Anna had a lot of 'weeds' and she was not feeling very confident and calm. Anna was the inspiration behind the message of our book to help her find her way out of the 'weeds' (stress/anxiety) and back to her 'flowers'(gratitude/joy). Over the past 6 years our book has blossomed into an entire platform dedicated to helping empower children, families, caregivers and educators with a vocabulary, mindset and tools to help turn weeds into seeds (stress to success). Follow us along on our journey to spread more seeds on our #PullYourWeeds®Blog, SEL Assemblies, Teacher Programs, Speaking Engagements, YouTube channel and more! Even though Gardener Anna is now in high school, she is still very much involved with the You Are a Gardener® platform and our SEL programs. That's the beautiful thing about gardening...it just keeps growing! >> Watch some of Gardener Anna's Hello Gardners videos from when she was younger..click here! Hey gardeners, did you make our Sweet & Simple Fall Snack: Cream Cheese, Caramel & Toffee Spread? If so, congratulations, you just earned yourself the 'Sweet Fall Snack' Gardening Tool Badge'! --> Click the badge to download a pdf sticker for your Gardening Tool Badge Collector Sheet! Get a copy of our signed Limited Edition Hardcover Book for your home or classroom today!

Hello Gardeners! Today, we're going to meet Gardener Kelsey's 6 feathery friends. Just like you, Gardener Kelsey, loves to tend to her garden, nurture plants, and watch them grow. But this summer, she took on a unique challenge - raising six young chickens from when they were only four weeks old. Little did she know that this experience would not only teach her about raising chickens, but also how spending time with birds can be a great way to calm nerves and add more joy to her daily life! Throughout the summer, Kelsey documented the growth of her six chickens, and guess what? They're now laying eggs! As we follow Gardener Kelsey's journey, we'll discover how taking care of pets like chickens can have a calming effect on gardeners of all ages and provide valuable life lessons. So gardeners, grab your gardening gloves and let's dive into the wonderful world of feathered friends and the happiness they can bring to your backyard! Chickens Bring Joy: Just like pets, chickens, in particular, have a special way of bringing joy into our lives. Here are a few reasons why: Charming Personalities: Chickens each have their own unique personalities. Some may be curious and adventurous, while others are gentle and shy. Getting to know their individual quirks can be a lot of fun! Feathered Friends: Chickens can become your feathered friends. They enjoy being around humans and might even follow you around the yard, just like a buddy who wants to spend time with you. Egg-citing Surprises: One of the most egg-citing things about chickens is that they lay eggs. It's like finding a treasure in your backyard! Collecting fresh eggs can be a delightful (and delicious!) daily adventure. Funny Behaviors: Chickens have some funny habits and behaviors. They love to scratch the ground looking for tasty bugs and worms, and sometimes they'll even take dust baths that look like they're having a spa day in the dirt! So gardeners, whether you're watching them cluck and scratch around the yard or enjoying a fresh egg from your feathery friends, chickens are lovely way to bring a lot of joy to your life! Caring for chickens is a bit like tending to your own garden of feathered friends. Just like plants need water and sunlight to thrive, chickens have their own needs. They require a balanced diet with nutritious chicken feed, ensuring they get the right nutrients, including calcium for strong eggshell development. Providing clean water is a must, and a clean coop and run give them a cozy place to roost and lay their eggs. Fresh air and space to roam around are essential, as is access to dirt where they can scratch and peck for insects and grains. And let's not forget the snacks - chickens love treats like mealworms, vegetables and they even like weeds! The Calming Effect of Pets: Pets, including birds, can have a calming effect on gardeners of all ages: Unconditional Love: Pets, like Gardener Kelsey's chickens, provide us with unconditional love and companionship. Knowing that there's someone who cares about us can help reduce stress. Responsibility: Taking care of pets teaches us responsibility. Feeding, cleaning, and nurturing them help us develop important life skills. Emotional Support: Pets are great listeners! Talking to them can help us express our feelings and reduce anxiety and help us pull our weeds! Routine and Structure: Having a pet can create a sense of routine and structure in our lives, which can be comforting. Fun Facts About Chickens: Now, let's dive into some fun & fascinating facts about chickens, just like the ones Gardener Kelsey raised: Chickens Are Social Birds: Chickens love to be part of a flock. They're happiest when they're with their friends, just like how we enjoy being with our gardener friends. Egg-cellent Layers: Hens, which are female chickens, lay eggs. They can lay eggs of different colors – white, brown, or even blue, pink and green! Check out Gardener Kelsey's eggs in the photo! Dust Baths: Chickens take dust baths to keep their feathers clean and free from parasites. It looks like they're having a spa day in the dirt! Chicken Language: Chickens have their own language of clucks, chirps, and squawks to communicate with each other. They have a lot to say! Remember gardeners, that birds, like chickens, can bring joy and teach us valuable lessons about responsibility, friendship, and the wonders of nature. Gardener Kelsey's journey with her chickens is a perfect example of how our feathered friends can be an emotional support and help our gardens grow. Hey gardeners, do you want to see more about Gardener Kelsey's Feathery Friends? Send us an email to flowers@youaregardener.com!

Embracing a New Mindset: Planting Seeds for a Brighter Tomorrow: Hello gardeners! As we say so long to summer and embrace the crisp start of a new season, now is a wonderful time for a fresh perspective – one that is optimistic and forward-thinking. Adopting the "You Are a Gardener®" mindset into your daily routines at home and in school can be a helpful way to start shifting your stress into success or aka weeds to seeds. By cultivating a shared emotional language, we can empower each other to keep pushing forward, growing, and looking up for positive opportunities. Let's embrace a new shift in mindset together and plant the seeds for a brighter tomorrow. As gardeners, we have the ability to nurture and cultivate growth within ourselves and others. As we embrace optimism and shift our mindset towards a brighter tomorrow, let us not forget the power of planting seeds. Scroll down for some helpful gardening tips for: Embracing a New Mindset: Planting Seeds for a Brighter Tomorrow: Here are some ways we can continue to cultivate a positive mindset for gardeners of all ages: Practice gratitude: Take time each day to reflect on the things you are grateful for aka your flowers. This simple practice can shift your perspective and help you focus on the good in your life. Surround yourself with positivity: Seek out like minded 'gardeners' and experiences that uplift you. Surrounding yourself with positivity can help you maintain a positive outlook. Practice self-care: Take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally aka pull your weeds, plant new seeds and enjoy the flowers along the way. When we feel our best, we are better able to handle challenges and maintain a positive mindset. Embrace positive self-talk: Pay attention to the way you speak to yourself. Use positive affirmations and self-talk to build yourself up and maintain a positive mindset. Embrace challenges: Challenges and stress aka weeds can be an opportunity for growth and learning. Embrace challenges with a positive mindset and use them as an opportunity to learn and grow, it's all about turning weeds into seeds and growing through what you go through and using healthy gardening tools to help you through. Remember gardeners, we are all in this world together sharing a universal connection. Let us continue to embrace a shared emotional language to empower one other to help us all move forward and grow. Keep looking up, and keep planting those seeds for a brighter tomorrow. Embracing a New Mindset: Planting Seeds for a Brighter Tomorrow

Self-Care Sunday is all about taking time for yourself to indulge in something just for you that helps you rest, relax and reflect. The are so many social and emotional benefits to setting aside some time to relax, unwind and take some time for YOURSELF! When you dedicate a day of the week (we love Sundays) it plants the seed for a healthy routine to look forward to every week. Building that self-care time into your week sets a wonderful example for the entire family. By prioritizing your mental and physical health, it sets a positive tone for the week ahead. We LOVE Self-Care Sunday 💕 << Scroll down for some of our favorite family Self-Care Sunday routines & see how you can earn a New Gardening Tool Badge >> We love a little pampering on Sundays! Last winter we treated ourselves to some fun, new self-care tools. These little ice globes have been popping up all over the internet so we thought we would test them out for ourselves. Using ice globes on the face is essentially a DIY cryotherapy treatment. Pop these 'mini miracle maracas' in your freezer for about 15 minutes and then gently massage on your face. Their rounded tips make for a smooth massaging experience and their refreshingly icy nature help soothe and rejuvenate your skin. When it comes to 'chillin' out these are our first pick! One of our other new favorites is a facial steamer (from Vanity Planet). This soothing and hydrating experience is wonderful for your skin and is extremely relaxing. We love to infuse a little essential oil into the process as well. Some of our favorites to add are lavender, geranium or eucalyptus. Gardener Tip: this helps clears the pores from wearing a mask all week at school and/or work. Gardener Anna loves her amethyst face roller! She keeps this one behind her bed and uses it when she needs to unwind. It is said that amethyst emits negative ions, and is believed to be the best crystal roller to help release negative energy and stress. Facial rollers not only feel amazing, they can reduce puffiness, increase circulation, helps eliminate toxins and soothes the skin. Gardener Tip: facial rollers also come in other gems like jade and rose quartz. Self-care Sunday is an opportunity to prioritize yourself and indulge in activities that help you rest, relax, and reflect. It's an excellent way to re-center yourself before the start of a new week. << Scroll down for more of our favorite family Self-Care Sunday routines>> Our Top 10 Self-Care Sunday Tips For The Whole Family: Take a walk Journal Have a tea party Read a book Doodle/Color Make a vision board Try a new recipe Listen to music Have a spa day at home Unplug...literary disconnect from all devices Remember gardeners, Self-Care Sunday is all about doing what makes you feel good and taking care of yourself. Make it a habit and prioritize your well-being every week. Hey Gardeners...did you and your family indulge in some of our Self-Care Sunday tips? If so, then you just earned yourself the Self-Care Sunday Gardening Tool Badge! --> Click the badge to download a pdf sticker for your Gardening Tool Badge Collector Sheet! What are some of your favorite ways to relax and unwind? We would love to hear from you! Send us an email to flowers@youareagardener.com.

Weeds Can Look Like: Ways that stress can present itself: In today's fast-paced world, gardeners of all ages are more susceptible to stress (weeds) than ever before. As gardeners, it is helpful to recognize the signs and symptoms of weeds (stress) and empower ourselves, and one another with healthy gardening tools to help us find the calmer path through. Here are some common ways stress and anxiety (weeds) can present itself at home and in school: Ways Weeds (Stress) Can Present Themselves In Gardeners: -Appear more clingy than usual. -Difficulty sleeping. -Anger and upset easily, act unkind towards others. -Have stomach aches and headaches. -Have a hard time concentrating & staying on task. -Over planning for situations and upcoming events. -Avoiding activities and events. -Changes in eating patterns. -Fidget and seem more restless. Here are some healthy gardening tips and tools to help you and your little gardeners pull your weeds and plant new seed (aka coping strategies to turn your stress into success to use at home and in school): Physical activity: Exercise is a great way for gardeners to reduce stress and promote overall well-being. Engage in physical activities such as sports, yoga, dancing, or simply going for a walk. Healthy eating habits: Nutrition plays a significant role in managing your weeds aka stress. Eat a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Avoid junk food and sugary drinks as they can increase stress levels. Learn some relaxation techniques: Simple relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or visualization. These techniques can help calm you down and reduce stress levels. Create a routine: Gardeners of all ages thrive on routine and structure. Create a daily routine that includes time for homework, play, and relaxation. This will help you feel more in control and reduce stress levels. Be a good listener: Encourage other gardeners to express their feelings and concerns. Be a good listener and provide emotional support when needed. This will help you and your littler gardeners to feel heard and validated. Seek professional help: If you or your child's stress levels are affecting their daily life, consider seeking professional help. A therapist or counselor can provide gardeners of all ages with the necessary tools to manage stress and anxiety. Remember gardeners, weeds are a normal part of gardening. As gardeners, we need to continue exploring healthy ways to manage our weeds and keep on 'growing' (gardening tools). The more 'gardening tools' we have in our 'emotional toolkit', the more prepared we will be to help us 'grow' forward feeling confident and calm! Physical activity, healthy eating habits, relaxation techniques, creating routines, being a good listener, and seeking professional help when needed, can help us all keep turning 'weeds into seeds'! Weeds Can Look Like: Ways that stress can present itself

Calling all teachers: Let us help you plant some positive SEL seeds this Fall and dig into a You Are a Gardener® | #PullYourWeeds® back to school theme for your classroom! As we all know, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is an important aspect of education that helps students develop emotional intelligence, empathy, and communication skills. By incorporating a back-to-school SEL theme in your classroom, you can create a positive and supportive learning environment for your students. To learn more about our student assemblies, our professional ONE-CLICK SEL for teachers, our family workshops and more ways for your school to dig into our SEL programs: Click Here & Let's Grow! Here are some ideas to help you dig into a You Are a Gardener® | #PullYourWeeds® SEL theme for your classroom this year with minimal materials: Start the year off with a 'My Flowers Are' icebreaker activity that encourages students to get to know each other and build connections & dig into the You Are a Gardener® mindset. Have your students write down their 'flowers' (the things that make you feel happy & joyful) on each of the petals. Click Here To Download The Sheet. Incorporate some gardener themed SEL activities into your daily routine, such as during morning meetings or reflection time at the end of the day. Visit our #PullYourWeeds® Blog for inspiration and free activity sheets. Use our book to introduce your students to the You Are a Gardener vocabulary & mindset. Click Here To Get A Signed Copy. Create a #PullYourWeeds® flower pot in your classroom where students can feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings to help keep the line of communication open. Click Here to learn more: Earn Gardening Tool Badges as a class. Explore activities & exercises techniques to help students manage their emotions and reduce stress to cultivate a calm & confident classroom decorum. Click Here To Start Today! Plant Some SEL Seeds This Fall In Your Classroom: By implementing a back-to-school SEL theme, you can help your students develop the social and emotional skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. Let us help you and your students dig into the You Are a Gardener® mindset and plant the seeds for a successful school year!

Hello Educators!! You Are A Gardener® started as a small seed in 2017. Since then, we have taken root and grown faster than we could have ever imagined! What started out as a children’s book and a way to encourage open communication between parent, teacher, and child, has now grown into an entire social-emotional learning (SEL) platform dedicated to empowering kids with a vocabulary, mindset and tools to help them grow forward feeling confident and calm! Check out our fun web video series, our #PullYourWeeds Blog, and innovative Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) assemblies, workshops and teacher programs all rooted in planting SEL seeds at home and in school. Keeping that line of communication open is key! As SEL advocates we have all sorts of programs for children, families, teachers and groups. Click the link below to learn more. Have your students start earning their gardening tool badges today! Click the arrow to download your free printable collector sheet, pick an SEL activity that you want your class to explore & dig in! *Don't forget to download the Free Gardening Tool Badge Collectors Sheet! Whether you are in school or homeschooling this year, we would like to treat all our gardener friends to a FREE You Are a Gardener® Back to School SEL Activity Pack to help you plant some positive seeds for the upcoming school year! CLICK THE IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE SEL ACTIVITY PACK TODAY! Why is SEL so important to teach in school? Successful SEL programs help develop and nurture skills in these 5 areas: Research indicates that students receiving quality SEL instruction demonstrated better academic performance, improved attitudes and behaviors, fewer discipline issues, and reduced emotional distress. When young gardeners can manage their feelings and emotions, they are better equipped to handle the day-to-day! Start planting SEL seeds in your class...Get a signed copy of our book for your classroom today! Free gardener giveaways with every purchase! << Click Here >> Over the last few years, we have spread our seeds at so many great schools, new networks of educators, and eager students. Take a look below to see photos from past assemblies, workshops and seed-spreading experiences! Our workshops are not just for students, but also for educators and parents. Learning doesn’t have to stop when we leave the classroom. When parents & teachers embrace the You Are a Gardener® vocabulary, mindset and gardening tools on a consistent basis it helps nurture the program and lets it take root in each and every 'gardener'! So who's ready to dig in? Let's Grow! Click Here For Information About our SEL Services & Programs

Whether you are in school or homeschooling this year, we would like to treat all our gardener friends to a FREE You Are a Gardener® Back to School SEL Activity Pack to help you plant some positive seeds for the upcoming school year! >>Scroll down and dig into some free printable to use at home or in the classroom! More Ways to Keep our SEL Programs Growing: -Schedule a #PullYourWeeds® Assembly with Shanna Truffini or learn more about our One-Click SEL Program for teachers! Click here to get a quote! -Stay tuned to our #PullYourWeeds® Blog for weekly free resources, activities, exercises and videos rooted in planting & nurturing a healthy SEL environment for kids, families and teachers! Check it out now-Click Here! -Another fun way to keep the You Are a Gardener® mindset growing this year is to have your students earn Gardening Tool Badges as a group and celebrate all your efforts at the end of the year with a Gardener Culmination Celebration! Click Here! You Are a Gardener Vocabulary & Mindset Visual Aid For Classroom or Home Click on the image to download the pdf version of this free You Are a Gardner® Visual Aid for your classroom! This is a helpful tool to introuduce the You Are a gardener vocabulary and mindset to your students and kids! The My Flowers Are SEL Activity Sheet is a wonderful back to school ice breaker exercise to do as a group or independently. By encouraging your students or kids to write their 'flowers' (something that makes them feel happy & joyful) on each of the petals it helps to re-direct thoughts to positive experiences and is a great way to help kids get to know each other. Click on the activity sheet to download your free printable! The Perfect Fall Day SEL Activity Sheet is a a fun, fall grounding activity to do at home or in the classroom. This relaxing 'gardening tool' can be done anytime, anywhere, with or without this sheet. As an added extension, you can also have your gardeners draw a picture of their perfect fall day. Click on the activity sheet to download your free printable! The Keep Your Garden Green SEL Activity Sheet is a helpful grounding exercise for students and kids to use at home and in school. This Grounding Exercise For Students Is Helpful At School: -Before or after a test -When students seem restless -During Morning Meetings This Grounding Exercise For Children Is Helpful At Home: -If your child is feeling overwhelmed -At the end of the day -After screen time Click on the activity sheet to download your free printable! We are extremely passionate about helping families and educators plant healthy and empowering SEL seeds at home and in school. If you found our You Are a Gardener® Back to School SEL Activity Pack helpful, we would love to hear from you and send you more free resources! Email us at flowers@youareagardener.com. You Are a Gardener® and the #PullYourweeds® Blog are rooted in empowering kids with a shared emotional language to use at home and in school through the use of our book, blog, videos, school programs, teacher services and more! Let's dig into raising a new generation of emotionally empowered kids!

With the switching of the seasons, now is a wonderful time to clean out your crafting drawers and dig into a kitchen sink craft! Today Gardener Kelsey is showing us how to make DIY Decorative Birdhouses using leftover materials from many of our previous crafts we have featured on our #PullYourWeeds® Blog. From bead to felt, clay to paint, grab whatever materials you have lying around gardeners and let's grow! This activity is fun for gardeners of all ages. Making birdhouse crafts with kids is not just a fun activity, but it also has several social and emotional benefits that can help in their overall development. Scroll down to read why this is a #PullYourWeeds® approved craft and to download your Gardening Tool Badge for this activity! For more crafts on our blog: Click Here! Kitchen Sink Craft: DIY Decorative Birdhouses Has Gardener Roots In: **Boost creativity:** Birdhouse crafts allow gardeners to express their creativity by designing and decorating the birdhouse as they choose. This helps in boosting their imagination and creativity, which can be beneficial in other areas of their life as well. **Develops patience and focus:** Decorating birdhouses requires patience and focus. Kids need to concentrate on the task at hand and follow instructions carefully. This helps in developing their patience and focus, which can be useful in their academic and personal lives. **Promotes teamwork:** Making birdhouse crafts can be a great group activity, where kids can work together and learn to cooperate with each other. This promotes teamwork and helps in building social skills. This is a fun project to do at home or in school. **Provides a sense of accomplishment:** Completing a birdhouse craft project provides kids with a sense of accomplishment and can boost their self-esteem. This can help motivate them to take on more challenging tasks and projects in the future. **Reduces stress and anxiety:** Crafting has been found to have therapeutic benefits, and can help reduce stress and anxiety. Decorating birdhouses with kids can be a relaxing and fun activity that helps take their minds off their 'weeds' and redirects their thoughts to the present moment. Our Kitchen Sink Craft: DIY Decorative Birdhouses is a great way to spend quality time with kids while also promoting creativity, teamwork, and self-esteem. Did you decorate a birdhouse? We would love to see your photos! Scroll down to collect your Gardening Tool Badge! Hey gardeners, did you do explore our DIY Decorative Birdhouses Craft? If so, congratulations, you just earned yourself the 'Decorative Birdhouses' 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. 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.

Re-Introducing Hello Gardeners®: A Series by Gardener Anna & Gardener Aidan: Hello Gardeners® is a series & concept that Gardener Anna & Gardener Aidan created in 2018 when they were only 8 and 6 years old. The original series was filmed in their grandparent's greenhouse by our very own and extremely talented Illustrator, Kelsey Jordan. The program was inspired by a desire to help other gardeners transform their "weeds" (stressful situations) into "seeds" (opportunities for growth) and showcase new "gardening tools" (healthy coping strategies) to help foster confidence, calmness, creativity, and kindness.. Over the course of 3 years, Gardener Anna & Gardener Aidan filmed over 20 episodes and created a spin off series Camp Hello Gardeners®. Three's a Crowd: How To Help Kids Navigate Feeling Left Out Scroll down to read this week's featured Hello Gardeners® from 11 year old Gardener Liam It's not uncommon for gardeners to feel left out among their peers, especially when they are in a group of three. As parents or caregivers, it's important to help young gardeners navigate these situations and provide them with support and healthy 'gardening tools'. Here are some ways to help kids when they feel left out: Encourage them to express their feelings: It's important to create a safe space for kids to express their emotions. Encourage them to talk about how they're feeling and listen to them without judgment. Help them develop social skills: Kids who struggle with social situations may benefit from practicing social skills. Role-playing scenarios can help them learn how to initiate conversations and join in on activities. Foster friendships outside of the group: Encourage your child to spend time with other friends outside of the group of three. This can help them build confidence and develop new relationships. Talk to the teacher: If your child is feeling left out at school, consider talking to their teacher for support. The teacher may be able to help facilitate friendships or suggest activities to help your child feel included. Remember, feeling left out is a common experience for children, and it's important to provide them with healthy gardening tools they need to navigate these situations. By offering support and encouragement, you can help your child build resilience and develop strong social and emotional skills. Calling All Teachers: Hello Gardeners® is a wonderful classroom social-emotional learning (SEL) activity! Have your students write down tips and suggestions to help the featured gardener turn their 'weed into a seed'. This SEL class exercise is rooted in: -Conflict/resolution skills -Empathy -Coping strategies -Open Communication Download the FREE printable of our Hello Gardeners® journal page by clicking on the image! CLICK THE JOURNAL PAGE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE PDF Keep pulling your weeds gardeners: Keeping the lines of communication open among children, families and teachers encourages kids to openly talk about their feelings with confidence and recognize opportunities when they need to get back to a calmer mindset. Our Hello Gardeners series is rooted in empowering gardeners with the vocabulary, mindset and tools to help them 'grow' forward feeling confident and calm! We would love to feature YOU in one of our upcoming Hello Gardeners® segments. Send an email to gardeners at flowers@youareagardener.com and include a photo! Three's a Crowd: How To Help Kids Navigate Feeling Left Out: You Are a Gardener® goes beyond the pages of a book,it is an entire movement dedicated to empowering children. 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.

This time of year when summer starts to slip into a back to school state of mind, weeds can start to pop up, especially for kids. From summer reading, math packets, anticipating a new year and forming new routines, this time of the season can start to feel a little stressful. As gardeners, it is important to explore healthy and fun ways to manage these weeds (aka stress). Today we are sharing some healthy gardening tools to help turn those weeds into seeds and help kids, families and teachers cope with the back to school stress. Encourage physical activity: Exercise is a great way to reduce stress and boost mood. Encourage your child (or self) to participate in activities they enjoy, such as swimming, dancing, or playing sports. Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness activities like deep breathing, meditation, and yoga can help gardeners of all ages stay calm and focused. Foster creativity: Art, music, and writing can help kids (and gardeners of all ages) express their feelings and reduce stress. Encourage your child to explore their creative side through drawing, playing an instrument, or writing in a journal. Spend time in nature: Spending time in nature can help reduce stress and improve mood. Go on a hike, have a picnic in the park, or simply spend time being outside. Enhance time management skills: Feeling overwhelmed by a busy schedule can be stressful for kids especially when it come to switching from summer to September. Time management skills, such as breaking tasks into smaller steps and prioritizing schedules helps gardeners of all ages feel more confident and calm. Incorporating healthy and fun 'gardening tools' into your daily routines, can be helpful when it comes to managing stress and turning those back to school weeds into seeds! The Summer Switch: Gardening Tools To Help Kids Cope With Back To School Stress: You Are a Gardener® goes beyond the pages of a book,it is an entire movement dedicated to empowering children. 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.

Hello gardeners are you ready to craft and relax with a brand new Gardening Tool? Today Gardener Kelsey is showing us how to create hand painted mandala stones. Not only is this this 'gardening tool' a craft, it is also a form of mediation. Mandala stones are a beautiful art form that involves painting smooth river rocks with intricate patterns of dots. This practice is a form of meditation that can be very calming and soothing. By creating mandala stones, artists can express their creativity and find peace within themselves. Mandala stones make for great decorations, paperweights, or even as a thoughtful gift for loved ones. Scroll down to discover more about the social and emotional benefits of this calming activity and scroll all the way down to download your Gardening Tool Badge for this activity. If you're interested in exploring this Gardening Tool and making your own mandala stones, here are a few tips to get started: First, find smooth river rocks that are flat and round. You can find these at a local craft store or outdoors in nature. Clean the rocks thoroughly and let them dry completely before painting. Choose your color palette and gather supplies such as paint brushes and acrylic paint. It's a good idea to start with a simple design before moving on to more intricate patterns. Begin by painting a base color on the rock and let it dry completely before adding dots or other designs. Use a dotting tool or the back of a paintbrush to make dots in various sizes and colors. You can also add lines, swirls, and other shapes to your design. Take your time and enjoy the process. Remember, creating mandala stones is a form of meditation, so allow yourself to be present in the moment and let your creativity flow. Once you've finished your mandala stone, you can display it in your home or office, or give it as a gift to someone special. Not only will you have a beautiful piece of art, but you'll also have the satisfaction of knowing that you created it with your own hands. Our Painted Mandala Stone Craft & Meditation Has Gardener Roots In: Promotes relaxation Enhances creativity and self-awareness Provides the benefits of art therapy Reduces anxiety and relieves muscle tension Builds self-confidence, allowing you to color outside the lines if you choose to Screen Free activity Can be done at home or in school Hey gardeners, did you do explore our Painted Mandala Stone Craft & Meditation? If so, congratulations, you just earned yourself the 'Painted Mandala Stone' Gardening Tool Badge'! --> Click the badge to download a pdf sticker for your Gardening Tool Badge Collector Sheet Craft and Meditate with our Painted Mandala Stones: You Are a Gardener® goes beyond the pages of a book,it is an entire movement dedicated to empowering children. 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.