Hello Gardeners! Recently, our author #GardenerShanna and our illustrator #GardenerKelsey had the pleasure of attending the New Jersey Montessori Association Corporation (#NJMAC) Conference. Many of you might not know that alongside selling the book, we have lots of different programs that you can bring to your school. Whether you are looking for in-service hours for your educators, book readings for your students, or workshops for parents - we have you covered! It was so wonderful #SpreadingSeedsOfPositivity and showing the Montessori family how to incorporate the gardener mentality into their classroom. We loved hearing keynote speaker #AlfieKohn speak about the importance of addressing the deeper meaning behind actions and behavior through communication - or what we would call pulling a weed! This visit to the NJMAC Conference reminded us of Episode 5 of #HelloGardeners - where #GardenerAnna and #GardenerAidan visit their school, Long Hill Montessori, and spread seeds to their classmates! Gardener Shanna came to their classroom and read the book, demonstrated some conflict resolution scenarios, and every student went home with a Certified Gardener seed packet! We are so thankful to the Montessori Community for being so supportive of You Are A Gardener™ and for embracing the gardener lifestyle! Check out some photos from the NJMAC Conference and if you are interested in bringing #YouAreAGardener to your school, be sure to email events@youareagardener.com. Thanks for joining us today, and remember to #PullYourWeeds!

As the ground warms and Spring nears, little flowers are beginning to pop up around every corner. Why not use these little sprouts of energy as a reminder to think of the 'flowers' in your life! Each time you stroll the flower aisle at the supermarket, come up with a 'flower' from your day. When you swap out your seasonal decor and wipe down your floral candle holders, make note of a 'flower' from your morning. These little daily flower sightings can act as gentle reminders to walk through your garden every day and make note of your 'flowers.' You Are A Gardener™'s illustrator, Kelsey DeLaney, tested out our idea in her own home! See her flower reminder moments below - what are some of yours? Let us know! #GardeningMindset #PullYourWeeds™ Let us know some of the floral 'moments' you've had in YOUR home! We hope they make for a peaceful, happy day!

In many of our #HelloGardeners episodes, a common piece of advice is to find a parent, teacher, or a trusted adult and tell them what’s going on. Children come to us for security and support - we need to be prepared to listen and respond appropriately. When a child approaches you, and wants to talk in private or seems nervous even about asking you to talk, that should be a sign that THIS IS IMPORTANT! Even if it doesn’t seem important, the fact that he or she is bringing it up means it’s important to him or her. LISTEN. Listen with more than just your ears - pay attention to body language and facial expression. Try to read between the lines in case something bigger is happening. RESPOND. If you see something concerning, such as a fearful child, re-establish their safety. If you see a child is anxious, re-establish the calm - take deep breaths, remind them that everything is going to be okay, tell them they are safe. ACT. Offer some sort of solution. You might not have all of the answers, but you can provide a next step. Maybe this is a meeting with the other child involved in the conflict, maybe this is offering a safe space for the child to calm down, maybe this is a hug. Offer something. CHECK-IN. If the conflict warrants it, repeatedly check in with the child. Make sure they feel heard, supported, and loved. When we encourage gardeners (of any age!) to open up to us and be vulnerable, we need to be there. A weed can’t fully be pulled until there is some closure, and a seed can’t be planted until a solution is offered. So, be there, listen, respond, act, check-in. Sometimes all a child might need is a minute to breathe and a few mantras to repeat. So below we have a Mantra Card craft - this can be done in your classroom, around the kitchen table, at a friend’s house - wherever! Here's what you’ll need: A sturdy piece of card stock (any size you like) or an index card A permanent marker Colored pencils or markers for decorating Ask your gardeners to write down some mantras that might help them feel better during tough times. Here are some examples: I am calm and peaceful You are okay I love myself I am safe Take a deep breath Be brave I can do it! Write the mantras in permanent marker, and decorate your card with pictures that make you feel good - flowers, hearts, kittens, your family, your skateboard, etc. Kids can keep this card in their backpacks or teachers can tape it to the students' desks. Sometimes all we need is a little reassurance and when we can look at a card like this, that is made 100% for us, we hear exactly what we need to hear in those overwhelming moments. Thank you for being the trusted adults you are and don't hesitate to send us some pictures of your mantra cards! We would love to see them. You can watch Episode 6 and all of the other #HelloGardener episodes here - and give us a big thumbs up if you like what you see! Remind your kids, your students, your nieces & nephews, and yourself that the future is BRIGHT!