Sensory gardens are accessible to people of all ages and abilities. Working in a garden offers many benefits including connecting with nature, social interaction, and learning new skills. Furthermore, horticulture therapy can help individuals to develop fine motor skills, deeper concentration, stamina, hand-eye coordination and a sense of independence and control. Roger Ulrich, a professor and director of the Center for Health Systems and Design at Texas A & M University, found that gardening evokes "positive feelings, reduces negative emotions, effectively holds attention / interest, and blocks or reduces stressful thoughts". The Institute for Outdoor Learning also argues that children benefit from outdoor learning through,
enhanced personal and social communication skills
increased physical health
enhanced mental and spiritual health
enhanced spiritual, sensory, and aesthetic awareness
the ability to assert personal control and increased sensitivity to one's own well-being.