Talk to me about forest school:

[coffeeginandkindness]

What is it?
What are the benefits?
Keep hearing about it but my dc have never done

It's just a fancy word for spending the afternoon in the woods!

Most schools do it as part of school now, you also get some nurseries that spend the entire day in the woods, which sounds a bit much. Depends on the child really, and what sort of things you do outside school. I can see that for a child who lives in a very urban environment with parents who would not naturally take them out for a forest walk, it would be quite eye-opening.

It's about being able to learn, make decisions and risk-take in a safe way.

A trained Forest School Leader will follow the 6 principles of Forest School. It's about being holistic about the child; many children struggle to learn, especially when younger, in the rigid classroom environment. It's learner-centered, so children can feel they can explore or follow the activities they want. They learn about risk (for example use of tools, fires, climbing a high tree) in a safe way, but develop skills that they can take out into the world.

Many schools don't really do "proper" Forest School. I've seen some classes have just 6 weeks of outdoor learning in a whole year, whereas it should be regular. I've also seen classes all being told to follow certain activities in the woods, even once having to play a phonics game rather than going and exploring of their own free choice.

It's not for everyone, but I'm a trained Leader. I've taught Year 5 pupils who, in the classroom, struggle to follow authority and be verbally aggressive, yet in the woods they have really come to life and been amazing pupils who respond so positively to everything. It just shows that unfortunately the classroom is not for everyone. I wish I could have taught those pupils every day outside in the woods.

when my kids were toddlers I would take them to a forest school play group. Like a normal playgroup but in the woods with mud kitchen, treasure hunts looking for pine cones etc, pond dipping, rope swings etc. now they are school I take them to one run in school holidays. They use hand tools the cut/ drill wood, zip wires, build fires etc.

At its most basic level it's is child-led learning in a forest/natural environment utilising the natural resources around you.
I'm actually a qualified Forest School Leader & I worked in a preschool Forest School. The children spent almost all their time outside playing, there was an onsite building but it was only used occasionally. The children had free access to lots of play equipment (slides, mud kitchen etc) & the leaders would also organise play stations with various activities like mud painting, natural playdoh, science experiments, etc. The children were taught fire safety, how to light a fire safely, how to use basic tools safely, we read books & had hot chocolate round the fire.
It derives from similar set ups in Scandinavia & has been shown to be a very beneficial way of educating. Many subjects can be taught outside of a classroom environment & some children respond & behave much better to outdoor teaching. Many schools now incorporate forest school practices into primary school, and there are some forest school preschools & schools across the country too.
If you're children have the opportunity to attend one, let us them, it's a great experience.

My 3 year old goes to a forest school pre-school. It's based in a woodland valley and we've been so pleased with it so far.

They spend vast majority of time outside so need to be prepared with warm layers and decent waterproofs. They have an inside area for when needed. They have campfires where the make popcorn, or mulled apple juice etc.

They are very child centred, and follow the interests of the child. The staff are hands down the loveliest I have ever met, and have built wonderful relationships with the children. There's a real team spirit amongst the children which is fostered by the staff.

Most days they go for a walk in the woods to explore - I think they have a few favourite spots to go to. They have a forest code to follow to keep them safe. They notice things like frog spawn arriving and flowers coming and going, puddles getting bigger and smaller etc.

Our daughter is very happy outdoors but can imagine it might not work well for everyone. Her confidence in herself and her stamina to walk further has improved no end since she started.

I'm not fully clued up on the principles but very happy with the outcomes so far!

I did it with some year 8s once. It was horrible. Pouring with rain, damp seeping through my jeans trying to jolly thirty whingeing kids into building something with wet twigs. I’m sure it’s fab for some!