What is Forest School?
Forest School is an inspirational approach to education for children that maximises learning opportunities and provides experiences within a woodland environment.
Whilst it is important to have a firm understanding of the theories behind the learning environment and of how children learn, Forest school opportunities are unique and offer children the opportunity, over repeated visits, to engage with the rich natural diversity of the woodland environment to help build confidence, sensitivity, resilience and curiosity.
The Benefits of Forest School –
The impact we are hoping it will make to our children here at Little Acorns nursery/pre-school.
Forest school ties in with many areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. Being outdoors all year-round helps children learn about weather and the seasons, studying mini beasts and plant life and being in the local environment relates to how we support children in “Understanding the World”. Communicating ideas-listening to each other, sharing thoughts and working together promotes children within their Communication and Language development.
Forest school helps children develop many skills within physical development encouraging them to be motivated and active, with lots of activities to develop both fine and gross motor skills such as den building, climbing, balancing, weaving etc. Children learn to assess, appreciate and manage risks, they learn to be self-sufficient which greatly boosts their confidence and self-esteem. Through trial and error they learn to deal with failure and develop the resilience to keep trying. This a vital skill in the classroom as well as in life as they grow up and greatly supports personal, social and emotional development.
Mathematical opportunities will be endless and being in the outdoors naturally promotes children to express themselves imaginatively and can offer a whole world of new opportunities when in the woods – who knows if we will see where the Gruffalo lives or spot any fairy gardens!
Children benefit from the simple act of being outdoors. We would like to improve our children’s mental and spiritual health, communication skills and social relationships and by connecting with nature help the children at Little Acorns feel part of the world.
