Our Learning Framework – A Life Changing Offer
Our learning framework is built around our commitment to delivering a programme of food and farming activities. From this, we are committed to our four pillars that link to the curriculum needs of our visiting schools: Personal and Social Relationships; Outdoor Education; Health and Wellbeing; Sustainability. Through participating in immersive activities across a five day period, children and young people see growth in their soft skills, which we have called the 9Cs: communication; confidence; compassion; courage; curiosity; connection; conservation; community; collaboration.
A week on the farm with sustained physical activity and inspiring social interactions leads our children and young people to develop their grit and growth mindset. With reduced reliance on technology, they have opportunities to be mindful and to notice their surroundings, developing their sense of empathy and understanding the importance of acts of service. Charting the field > farm > fork journey empowers our children and young people to develop their awareness of the environment. This all comes together to allow Farms for City Children to deliver on three pledges.
If you bring your children to one of our farms we pledge that you will see an increase in their learning and engagement. You will experience improved connections and wellbeing. And you will leave with an enhanced sense of environmental citizenship.
What does Farms for City Children give the young people and teachers who come to visit?
Enhanced physical activity
The chance to get outside, get moving and apply themselves to physical tasks for a sustained period.
Improved social interactions
The chance to build relationships with peers, teachers, and farm staff, communicating and connecting with each other.
Reduced reliance on technology
The chance to live without digital intrusion for a week, reducing distractions and allowing children the space to just be.
Increased awareness of nature
The chance to immerse themselves in all aspects of the natural world, understanding how nature works and what it gives us.
Enhanced understanding of farm to fork
The chance to appreciate how food is cultivated, nurtured, harvested and how it makes its way on to our plate.
Enhanced noticing skills and empathy
The chance to take a moment to intensely observe the world around them without distractions and experience an emotional response to what they see and feel.
Improved grit and growth mindset
The chance to complete tasks that require resilience and perseverance, overcoming fear and lack of understanding to try something new and feel brave.
Increased service and active citizenship
The chance to take responsibility for tasks, for each other, for the animals and for nature to understand that they can make a difference to the world by caring for all that is around them.
How does Farms for City Children create change in a young person?
Young people are more able to express their opinions and their feelings as shown through greater engagement and participation.
Young people are more willing to try something new, assert themselves in tasks and share what they have learned with others.
Young people are more sensitive and thoughtful with their peers and teachers and show great empathy for nature and the animals on the farm.
Young people are brave and bold and more willing to step out of their comfort zones, taking risks and persevering even when something is hard.
Young people are more restless in wanting to know more about the world around them, asking questions and challenging what they hear to gain more knowledge.
Young people are more willing to build links with peers and teachers through forging new relationships and seeking out the things that bring us all together, rather than divide us.
Young people are more able to see themselves as custodians of the natural world, aware of the threats to nature, and they see themselves as the agents of change to protect our planet.
Young people are more conscious that humans, animals, and nature are all inter-connected and are part of one large and complex community that relies upon each other and needs to be protected.
Young people are more open to sharing their knowledge, leaning on their peers and teachers, asking for help, and working together to problem solve and achieve.