In a context where environmental education plays an increasingly relevant role from the earliest years of learning, initiatives that bring children closer to nature gain added importance. It was within this framework that Jardim-Escola João de Deus de Alvalade developed an Organic Vegetable Garden project, integrated into its application for the 2025 Eco-Schools Program.
With a long tradition in the national educational landscape, this institution distinguishes itself through a student-centered pedagogical approach, valuing the child’s integral development and promoting learning based on experience, curiosity, and connection to the real world. The introduction of an educational vegetable garden thus emerges as a natural extension of this vision, creating concrete opportunities to explore themes such as sustainability, healthy eating, and respect for the environment.
Driven by a group of 3-year-olds, the project became a first discovery of nature’s cycle, where every action—such as sowing, watering, and caring—is transformed into meaningful learning. More than just a physical space, the garden has become a living laboratory, stimulating observation, responsibility, and enthusiasm for plant growth.
To support the implementation of this initiative, Horto do Campo Grande provided essential materials for the creation and maintenance of the garden, including a fruit tree, substrate, and a set of vegetable plants. These elements helped enrich the space and ensure better conditions for the activities, contributing to a more complete experience.
The introduction of these resources had an immediate impact on the project, allowing children more direct contact with different species and reinforcing the practical component of learning. At the same time, it consolidated the pedagogical work developed by the school, aligned with the principles of environmental education and sustainability.
This collaboration reflects the importance of building bridges between organizations and educational institutions, promoting experiences that go beyond the classroom and leave a lasting mark on the educational journey of the youngest ones.
The positive impact of the initiative was also shared by the educational team, who highlighted the project’s evolution and the enthusiasm generated among children and families:
“The project has evolved very positively, which makes us extremely satisfied. Feedback from parents has been excellent, reinforcing the importance and impact of this type of initiative. We intend to continue sharing the garden’s development, valuing this collaboration which has been fundamental to the project’s growth,” says Ana Patrícia Almeida, member of the educational team at Jardim-Escola João de Deus de Alvalade.
At HCG, we believe that contact with nature from an early age plays a decisive role in children’s development. Supporting educational projects like this means contributing to greater environmental awareness and the development of more responsible generations connected to the world around us.
Photographs © Jardim-Escola João de Deus de Alvalade
© Companhia das Cores for Horto do Campo Grande
