The Play Well Podcast 46 - Go Flourish
Jul 1, 2025
Julia Jane Gladwin, a seasoned garden designer and founder of Go Flourish, discusses her mission to reconnect children with nature through innovative school gardens. She shares insights on how gardening fosters resilience and enhances learning, especially in the wake of the pandemic. The conversation highlights the transformative power of nature-based play and the critical need for community involvement. Julia also explores international opportunities for youth through WOOF, emphasizing the importance of enriching experiences and unity in building stronger communities.
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Child Neglect Shocks Founder
- JJ shared an example of a neglected younger sibling who could only hiss and not speak, showing profound child neglect.
- This highlighted the urgent need for a scalable response to help many children, not just a few.
Integrate Gardens in Curriculum
- Use high-quality gardens integrated into the curriculum with a trained liaison teacher for consistent support.
- Ensure gardens help build child resilience with robust play areas using natural, sometimes challenging, features.
Rural Kids as Disconnected As Urban
- Children in rural areas like the Black Isle are often no more connected to nature than urban kids.
- Media exposure and fear often replace real experience despite rural settings.