AIBU to hate Forest School?

[thetreelooksnice]

That's it. My kids hate it. They get cold and muddy. It was OK when they were younger but now they want to stay in the warm to study!

I know, all this useless stuff our kids are forced to learn. I mean what’s the point in learning about nature or rivers or volcanos. We live in a city and I fully intend my children to stay here forever and never encounter a tree, river or volcano. They should be learning urban town planning instead.

Yes but surely a good teacher can impart those things to children INSIDE as part of a good, well-planned and differentiated lesson.

I personally think the teachers who do this like it because a lot of it is supposed to be “child-led”. Seems nothing too different from being a parent and taking your child to the park and discussing what they discover there...

I led forest school for 6 years (2 sessions a week with Y2), and only one child complained in that time. It's all about the clothing - warm layers that can be taken off if needs be, plus an absolutely waterproof outer layer!

I know that it may look like a big waste of time to some people but:

• how much better to witness the passing of the seasons? Buds in winter?! Spiders webs with frosty outlines? Building bricks made of snow?
• learn acceleration due gravity by pushing that log downhill. Gotta get out of the way!
• raise the self-esteem of the less academic. 'We could make a peg out of wood to hold that tarpaulin'
• learn to take risks 'I can't climb that'... but WE'LL hold your hand
• live without technology

... and so much more - and such an honour for the teacher to get to know children in these circumstances.

My SN dfs 11 and hates forest school. He says it is just stuff he does at Scouts. He has his own outdoor waterproof clothing but is not allowed to wear it as must use their clothes. He has had to do this same old stuff all through primary school too. I get annoyed because he only gets 1 science lesson 1 hour each week and he loves science. It is a waste of time Imo.

"how much better to witness the passing of the seasons? Buds in winter?! Spiders webs with frosty outlines? Building bricks made of snow?"
You don't need a bit of 'forest practitioner' led lesson in a bit of scrubland/woodland/forest to witness, experience and observe these everyday things. You can even do it in an urban setting...outdoors!

We do those things on the way to school!
I think it's just a passing fad.
I don't think it's more effective to learn team building skills in the wood as opposed to in the classroom. Or playground.
I say that as a teacher.

Only managed the first page and this thread sums up the monied privileged bubble that mumsnet exists.

Ps if you can’t afford to provide your child a warm winter coat, a vest and hat, gloves or wellies speak to your family welfare officer at the school they can help without judgement. They should have waterproof overalls provided by school. At least in our school they do where over 50% get free school meals.

Meanwhile, our children don't have enough time learning the craft of writing. So are in danger of doing poorly in exams as nobody can read the script.

Yes but surely a good teacher can impart those things to children INSIDE as part of a good, well-planned and differentiated lesson.

Just as a good teacher and good forest school practice can impart maths and science really effectively - and perhaps more effectively from the POV of some kids in an outside environment putting the principles into real life context.

I’m a big fan. DS1 did it at nursery and now at school and I’m always struck by how good they are at applying the classroom curriculum to the outdoors environment and using it to test and stretch kids’ understanding.

I lead a pre-school which has Forest School once a week for half the year and twice a week for the other half. The children are aged between 2 and 5 and we cover all 7 areas of the curriculum whilst we are outside BUT not all children enjoy it. I have had to speak to a parent today to think about changing her DC's day as the child just does not enjoy being outside. She was fine with it and we will rethink taking her when it gets warmer. She wears enough clothes but just does not enjoy it. The concept of Forest School is amazing and the benefits far outweigh the cons but we must understand that it is not for all children.

A couple of people on this thread are really weirdly gleeful about the 'academic' kids being made to do something they hate - as if they deserve punishment for being clever

Well take them out of it ? It's not compulsory they attend . If you and they hate it that much then leave

Serious question: if it is tipping down with rain, do the kids stay outside? I get that they are wearing waterproof clothing, but still sounds hardcore if it is really lashing down.

Stone - ours don’t. Drizzle is fine, but proper rain means they come in.

Ok, so I haven't read the whole thread... But am I the only one thinking "AIBU for not knowing what the hell Forest School is?". I can kind of guess but I've never heard of it and you all seem to know what it is so I'm feeling old and out of touch lol

We came back early today as it was bitterly cold and there is no point in staying out when they are all getting miserable and no amount of haring around is warming them up. We aim to go every week except when it is thundering and lightning, heavy wind or extreme cold.

I lived in the forest until I was 12. When 7/8 I’d ignore the bell calling us back in and arrive back soaking wet head to toe covered in mud. I’d have to change into my gym kit. Luckily the head was a friend of my grandpas and saw the funny side apparently. My family left me to it. But like anything it’s got to be by choice, anything forced and there’s no joy

Is this a new part of the curriculum? I’ve never heard of it. Don’t think DD (7) is the kind of child that would be happy trailing through mud in January. She’d prefer to be indoors reading.

Maybe an hour or two a week in the Spring/Summer is enough and the time should be spent learning about the native fauna/flora/geography rather than just jumping about in mud. That’s for the weekend during downtime with families, not at school.

It’s not a fad. It’s been around for many many years, it’s just more concentrated in schools nowadays, which is great.

I’ve been teaching outdoor education for the past 17 years, in a residential setting, where the students come to us as part of their compulsory education.

Forest school, although not called that until recently. I call it bushcraft, has always been in integral part of outdoor education and it’s fab that there is now more opportunity for children to do it on a repulse basis.

*regular

hera geography teaches students to have an understanding of the world they live in, urban planning is part of that, but so is volcanic processes. They develop a sense of curiosity for the world around them, become more informed and ‘well rounded’ intelligent adults.

Also, most cities have a river running through them.... that is usually why there is a city there in the 1st place

I also think that as a kid I would’ve hated this. Being in a wintery forest in the wind and rain looking for ‘mini beasts’ would’ve been my version of hell! Although I would’ve been ok with a cold beach, there something about being near the sea - I would love that in almost all weather.

"It’s not a fad. It’s been around for many many years"

Of course it's been around for many years, the current increase in popularity is what makes it faddy.