The 2018 International Symposium of Development of Children’s Garden was held in Chenshan Botanic Garden, Shanghai, from November 7-9. It brought together 120 scholars and experts from China, USA, Canada and other regions. Prof. Chen Jin, director of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), attended the meeting. 

The theme of the symposium is “nature-based environmental education of children”. 

About 120 participants discussed the construction and development of children’s gardens worldwide, by symposia sessions, oral presentations, and posters. 

At the meeting, scholars and experts proposed to acquire environmental knowledge through connectedness to nature. Children’s garden is expected to provide children with experiences and opportunities which will awaken their senses, stimulating their imagination and creativity, fostering an enquiring mind and a love of learning. 

It’s said that over 60% of the 2000 or so botanic gardens have established or are undergoing construction of children’s gardens. They strive to contribute more to the development of children, to disseminate environmental knowledge via children’s gardens, along with traditional living collections. 

The key speakers.