Learning Outdoors- Forest School

Forest schools were inspired from the Swedish concept, in the 1950’s. They incorporate the curriculum in an outdoor, stimulating and first-hand environment. Forest school allows nature to become the teacher, providing a sensory outdoor setting for children to learn within. Skills developed at forest school include making fires, whittling, team-building, language skills (specialised language is developed in relation to the environment, lexis of nature). Health and safety is paramount in forest school, so the area where children are within is sectioned off, sites are checked and equipment is tested. Forest schools are known to promote benefits in children’s learning, motivation, behaviour, attendance and self-esteem.

  A case study I have read is about a primary school in Suffolk, where the reception class take part in a forest school programme in their local environment. The head teacher of the school noted many benefits forest school had for the pupils. For example, it helped to develop children’s “practical skills, developing fine and gross motor skills”. The head teacher also discovered children’s confidence had boosted, and there was an opportunity for all learning styles to be developed. Forest schools tend to work well because of an ethos which is understood by everyone involved in the programme. Also, risk assessments were carried out by teachers, which children also had an input in. I feel this is very important, as the children can understand right and wrong, and what is dangerous when in the forest school environment, making them feel part of the process. In the case study, children were able to build dens, search for mini-beasts and look for animal trails. Activities such as these, help children make sense of their environment, first hand. It develops their curiosity and imagination, stimulating their thoughts and creating new experiences. ( Lamb C, 2011)

I think forest school provides children the chance to see things for themselves and do activities they could never do in a classroom. Also, it offers a safe environment for children to do more dangerous activities such as light fires, but because they are in this monitored environment it is possible. Risks are taken to learn about nature. Not only does it stimulate learning, it helps children understand the importance of looking after our environment and animals. 

A clip I found on YouTube demonstrating some of the activities which are developed at forest schools, such as building a fire, making a band using objects they find. The forest school leader also talks through the health and safety aspect, and how children understand the risks.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHQKX3gl6bU

Overall, I think Forest School has great benefits for children. Many parents have concerns over how much fresh air their children are getting, and how their childhood varies greatly to their children's. Learning outdoors has so many benefits for children, it may even be beneficial to life-long learning, health and well-being. (O'Brien L, 2009) 

 My primary school had a conservation area, where we used to go to look at tadpoles, kittiwakes and plants. I remember it was a treat to be allowed in this area, and everyone used to look forward to going. I think we should have gone there at least once a week, as it was very enjoyable and taught us about the nature which was in this area of the school.