In Digging In: Cultivating Curiosity Through Gardening and Biodiversity, we explore how everyday experiences in nature—from planting a garden to discovering bugs in the soil—play a powerful role in children’s learning and development. Recorded on site at Gulf State Park’s Learning Campus and designed for both parents and early childhood professionals, this episode highlights how hands-on outdoor experiences build curiosity, confidence, healthy habits, and environmental awareness, while offering practical, approachable ways adults can support safe exploration and meaningful connections to the natural world.

Key Takeaways for Listeners:

• Gardening nurtures responsibility, patience, and healthy habits while sparking sensory-rich learning experiences.

• Exposure to diverse plants, insects, and ecosystems builds problem-solving skills and resilience.

• Real encounters with soil, bugs, and weather deepen children’s appreciation for the environment.

• Families and educators can encourage safe exploration while modeling care for natural habitats.

• Simple, age-appropriate garden activities foster lifelong curiosity and environmental stewardship.