Yesterday I had the greatest pleasure to present my #PullYourWeeds® Workshop to Aidan's entire 4th grade class. It was so much fun for Aidan to be running the workshop inside the classroom, while I joined in virtually. It was a beautiful moment for our family to be able to share our 'seeds' with Aidan's classmates. "Thank you so much. The class truly enjoyed the presentation and the origami! Everything about it was just wonderful. We are so lucky to have had both Aidan and Anna in our class and we are going to miss you all! Love the resources you shared and each child will receive a certificate. Going to use the word find as our morning work tomorrow :) " Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and thank you again! Sarah (Aidan's Teacher) The #PullYourWeeds™️ Program is rooted in the power of the words flowers, weeds and seeds. This universal language helps create a new narrative for children to identify, communicate and manage their emotions through an empowering process. If you would like to learn more about spreading some seeds at your school-Click Here!

The countdown to summer break is officially on. After a school year like this, students, teachers and parents are in some major need of rest and a reset! To get you in a summer state of mind we rounded up our Top 10 Best Beach Quotes! Whether you are traveling to a lake, pool, pond, beach or backyard sprinkler, may the moments soothe and refresh your soul! Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air. –Ralph Waldo Emerson. What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness. -John Steinbeck One must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.– Hans Christian Andersen 4. One benefit of Summer was that each day we had more light to read by. -Jeannette Walls 5. To see the Summer Sky Is Poetry, though never in a Book it lie -- True Poems flee --. -Emily Dickinson 6. Smell the sea and feel the sky, Let your soul and spirit fly into the mystic. -Van Morrison 7. The sea cures all ailments of man.-Plato. 8. No sun outlasts its sunset, but will rise again and bring the dawn. ~ Maya Angelou 9. For whatever we lose(like a you or a me) it's always ourselves we find in the sea.-E.E. Cummings 10. The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul.-Robert Wyland” Photos taken in Sea Bright, NJ May 2021

To Book Now Click Here As the 2020/2021 school year starts to wind down, our gardening team is gearing up for a fall full of flowers! As of today, we have just opened up our calendars for September & October 2021 bookings! We only have 8 spaces available for each month for virtual workshops & assemblies. Book a 10 minute demo today and get your school on our schedule! Book Now: FLOWERS@YOUAREAGARDENER.COM "I can't think of anything more necessary right now than teaching our children and students mindfulness and ways to manage stress. As an educator, our students deal with so much, from academic pressure to peer pressure. Social media along with the pandemic has heightened our already anxious children. Shanna Truffini's book along with her academic workshops target today's students brilliantly. The message of managing anxiety and practicing mindfulness is clear and universally age appropriate. The students' response to Shanna's workshop along with her book was incredible to witness. Now more than ever, integrating mindfulness should be a top priority for all districts, parents, and educators. I highly recommend contacting Shanna for more information regarding the "You are a Gardener" program. She is relatable, knowledgeable, and creative in tailoring parts of her program to fit your individual needs. As an educator and a mother, I can't speak highly enough about Shanna and her incredible program she has created." -Mrs. Stacey Imbimbo- Grade 4 Teacher Bayberry Elementary School ​ The #PullYourWeeds™️ Program is rooted in the power of the words flowers, weeds and seeds. This universal language helps create a new narrative for children to identify, communicate and manage their emotions through an empowering process. Since 2018, Shanna Truffini has been presenting her programs to children, teachers and parents across the country. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THE #PULLYOURWEEDS® PROGRAM >

Hello Gardeners! We always say the most powerful 'gardening tool' we have to 'Pull Your Weeds' is talking about it! Talking with someone we trust about the things that make us feel sad, scared, embarrassed, lonely, left out, etc, not only provides us with emotional support but it also provides positive solutions to move forward confidently...and that's what we call turning 'weeds into seeds'! As gardeners there are so many 'gardening tools' available to help us feel more in control of our emotions and help us get to a calmer and clearer state of mind. So, today on the #PullYourWeeds Blog we're sharing a throwback craft (gardening tool) that's making a big comeback! We are making Positive Affirmation Fortune Tellers for when you need a little extra boost of positivity! Our prediction is... #TheFutureIsFlowers Here is what you'll need: A square piece of paper Markers First, fold all four corners of your square piece of paper in towards the center of the square. Then flip over your folded paper and repeat - fold all four corners towards the center. Then slide your two index fingers and two thumbs underneath the four corners and pop open the cootie catcher! Next, lay flat and on the flaps where you place your fingers, write your 4 favorite flowers. Flip over your flattened cootie catcher and write numbers in each eighth of the square. Then, flip open the number flaps and write four positive affirmations that are meaningful to you! And there you have it! Please share your photos with us.. we love to see our seeds spreading! Do you have a fun craft that involves #PositiveAffirmations? Tag us @youareagardener or email flowers@youareagardener.com to share!

We are so excited to officially announce that the Central Ave School in Madison, NJ has signed on for our #PullYourWeeds® Program for their 3rd, 4th and 5th graders! This seed was planted by our very special gardener friend, Megan. Thanks to her and Tom Liss, the CAS principal, the Madison Education Foundation generously provided the grant for the funding. Individual class workshops for the 3rd and 4th graders started this Monday and will roll into next week. The 5th graders will enjoy a live virtual assembly with a special Guest Gardener and we are planning a HUGE surprise for the school on Friday 5/28th outside on their blacktop! Stay tuned this month for details! If you would like to learn more about our #PullYourWeeds® Program for kids ages 4-11 please click here : https://www.youareagardener.com/booking - Get your school on our schedule today!

Stage fright, also known as a fear of speaking in public is common for children and adults alike! Empowering young kids with tools to help overcome any negative emotions associated with speaking in front of a group is wonderful for their social and emotional development! Today on the #PullYourWeeds® Blog, Gardener Anna & Gardener Aidan help 8 year old Max with tips to feel more confident about presenting in front of his peers. Scroll down to see Max's weed turn into a seed! Do you think the Gardeners can help Max turn his weed into a seed? Keep scrolling to find out! #1- Setting up your stuffed animals on your bed and practicing in front of them is a great way to prepare for your presentation. The more you practice the more confident you will feel! #2-Memorizing short poems and rehearsing them in front of your family is a great trick to building self-esteem and memory skills. We love poems by Robert Frost and Shel Silverstein! #3-When you are prepared for your presentation that is excitement you are feeling not nerves! Proceed confidently and calmly. Plus, taking a few deep breaths and setting a positive intention before you present helps too! The gardeners helped turn Max's weed into a seed! Taking an uncomfortable feeling and emotion and talking about it to come up with positive solutions is an empowering process for kids of all ages. Look Max it's a beautiful Veronica Spicita! To watch this short clip from Hello Gardeners® press play below! If your child has a weeds to seeds story and would like to be featured in an upcoming video of Camp Hello Gardeners® please send and email to flowers@youareagardener.com > To watch more episodes of Hello Gardeners head over to our YouTube Channel! Click Here

Sensory activities are extremely beneficial when it comes to the social and emotional development of young gardeners. Exploring new activities that encourage children to touch, feel, create and use their senses gives them a positive focus while using problem solving thinking. A fun, get your hands messy craft like making your own chalk paint teaches kids a parts to whole process that includes scientific thinking. It starts with simple steps such as following an exact recipe which requires attention to detail and exact measurements. Mixing and creating your own colors with food coloring is a creative process with visually delightful results. The finished product can result in hours of playing outside, full of colors, movement and textures. All you need is a hose for cleanup..and that can lead to a whole other fun outdoor activity! Learn how to make Gardener Anna's tie-dye chalk paint on Session 2 of Camp Hello Gardeners® scroll down and watch the video & or get the recipe here: Gardener Anna's Chalk Paint -2 Cups Corn Starch -2 Cups of Water -Food Coloring -Muffin Tin Mix equal parts of corn starch and water together in a bowl and then pour equally into your muffin tin. Mix 2-3 drops of food coloring to each tin. This is also a fun way to explore your colors! Grab a paint brush & chalk it up to hours of fun! This video clip from Camp Hello Gardenrs® also includes an art class with our illustrator, interactive games, learn Qi Gong from a certified master, make your own body scrubs with a 15 year old entrepreneur, cooking class with Gardener Aidan, inspirational stories & more fun! Scroll down to watch the full episode:

Yes, a waterfall chat is a thing...and yes it feels amazing (scroll down to see)! This week I had my 3rd #PullYourWeeds® Workshops with the 4th graders from the Riverview School in Denville, NJ. There are so many reasons I look forward to these workshops. From the engaging students to the amazing teachers to how fast these kids are taking to gardening. Every month I create a new educational, entertaining and empowering presentation for the classes. Each workshops introduces 2 new 'gardening tools' and fun activities/exercises for students to use to help them proceed confidently and calmly when they encounter stressful/uncomfortable feelings and emotions. >>CLICK THE PHOTO TO LEARN HOW TO MAKE POCKET JOURNALS<< This week the students learned how to make pocket journals to write down mini mantras to keep in their desk, their backpack, pocket or next to their bed. Tiny in size, yet mighty in rewards! The 4th graders also learned how to make the world's longest hopscotch with Gardener Anna & Gardener Aidan. Hopscotch is a wonderful activity that gets kids outside, moving and creative (focusing & enjoying the present moment). >>CLICK THE PHOTO TO LEARN HOW TO MAKE THE WORLD'S LONGEST HOPSCOTCH<< Press Play to watch my waterfall chat with the all virtual 4th grade class in Denville, NJ! Thank you to the Riverview Rockets for #PullingYourWeeds & #PlantingNewSeeds....You are gardeners! I can't wait for next month! Get your school on our schedule and book a #PullYourWeeds Workshop or Assembly today! Click Here to learn more!

Make mealtime feel fun and fesitive with 3 different ways to fold your napkins into flowers! Setting the table is a wonderful life skill to teach young gardeners. All you need is a cloth napkin and you are set. For an added bonus, scroll down for a FREE custom printable You Are a Gardener® placemat! Happy folding gardeners! PRESS PLAY TO WATCH A QUICK VIDEO WITH GARDENER KELSEY ON 3 FUN WAYS TO FOLD YOUR NAPKINS INTO FLOWERS! (as featured on Camp Hello Gardeners®) SCROLL DOWN & CLICK THE PHOTO FOR A FREE CUSTOM PRINTABLE YOU ARE A GARDENER® PLACEMAT! (PROPER TABLE SETTING PHOTO) >>CLICK THE PHOTO FOR A FREE CUSTOM PRINTABLE YOU ARE A GARDENER® PLACEMAT<< TO WATCH OTHER FUN LIFE SKILLS & ACTIVITIES FROM THIS EPISODE OF CAMP HELLO GARDENERS® PRESS PLAY ON THE TV BELOW

Here's a fun gardening fact...every #PullYourWeeds® workshop introduces children to 1-2 new 'gardening tools' for kids to use when they encounter uncomfortable feelings and emotions. As gardeners there are so many tools available to help us proceed confidently and calmly! Check out some of our favorite 'Gardening Tools' (exercises & activities to to help redirect their thoughts from negative to positive) that we introduce in our #PullYourWeeds Programs. Introduce kids to the You Are a Gardener® vocabulary: flowers, weeds, seeds. #PullYour Weeds®-the most important gardening tool of all-talking about your uncomfortable feelings & emotions with a trusted source. Origami foxes-origami is a wonderful way to redirect thoughts to the present moment by creating an object from only 1 sheet of square paper. 5.4.3.2,1-a wonderful grounding exercise to help your mind stop wandering to the weeds and get you back to your flowers. Pocket Journals-tiny in size, yet mighty in reward. Writing mini mantras to yourself is a wonderful positive affirmation tool. World's Longest Hopscotch-Outdoor activities that get kids, creating, moving and having fun is a wonderful tool to encourage gardeners to stay on the bright side. Would you like to start earning some gardening tool badges? We would love to get you enrolled in the program! Click here for more information on how to get started! #PullYourWeeds® | #GetYourBadges | #YouAreAGardener®

If you have been interested in spreading some seeds at your school, home or organization then consider this your sign to reach out for a free demo of the #PullYourWeeds® Program today! Raising a new generation of emotionally empowered kids starts with each and everyone us! Let's work together to plant the seeds for a brighter future for this younger generation! If you were waiting for a sign, this is it... flowers@youareagardener.com #PullYourWeeds | #SignsEverywhere | #YouAreAGardener.

The seeds for You Are a Gardener® were planted in 2017 when Shanna Truffini heard a friend compare stress and anxiety to "watering your weeds". Focusing on negative thoughts and feelings is extremely common for most people, especially kids. According to the National Science Foundation, "an average person has about 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day. Of those, 80% are negative and 95% are repetitive thoughts. If we repeat those negative thoughts, we think negative way more than we think positive thoughts." In efforts to help raise a new generation of emotionally empowered kids our mission is to provide children with a universal vocabulary* to help them identify these 'weeds' and teach them tools to help them turn their "hose or watering cans" back to their "flowers"! Scroll down for our Top 10 favorite 'gardening tools' to help you water your flowers instead of your weeds! When you find yourself 'watering your weeds' here are some easy gardening tools to help you redirect your thoughts and energy back to your 'flowers': Take 5 Deep Breaths Color Journal About Your Feelings Do A Craft Take A Walk Bake Something Play An Instrument Dance Do A Puzzle Listen To Your Favorite Song *You Are a Gardener®, Flowers, Weeds, Seeds, Pull Your Weeds! There are so many gardening tools out there! What are some of your favorites? Send us an email to flowers@youareagardener.com! #PullYourWeeds®