What's Forest School?
What we do
Forest School teaching is essentially an outdoor, nature-based learning experience that takes place in a woodland where children become at one with the landscape, environment and eco-system.
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At Forest School Club the focus is based on the holistic development of the child. Activities are provided, but rather than being adult led, each child chooses and tailors the activity to suit themselves based on their intrinsic needs and interests. As leaders, we observe children’s preferences and support their development. This gives children the ability to use their own initiative and problem solve through practical, hands on learning. It gives children the opportunity to grow in confidence, helps raise self-esteem and self-awareness through small achievable tasks which encourages independence.
How Children Benefit
Each session is exclusively child-led. There is no expectation of achievement (thus developing high self-esteem). Instead, children learn behavioral attributes from their peers; building and strengthening friendship and developing respect for each other through teamwork activities such as den building. The children learn to demonstrate problem-solving through the decisions they make and the way in which they learn from the consequence of their decisions.
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Developmental learning - Social, emotional, physical, intellectual and fine/gross motor skills & coordination are developed., alongside learning about the natural world.
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Risk - allowing children to safely manage risk, enables them to learn to evaluate safety factors and take small educated risks, building invaluable trust and empowering them to challenge and to determine for themselves risk levels.
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High self-esteem - a child appreciates themselves and their worth. They have a positive attitude, value themselves and their abilities and feel competent and in control. Self-esteem is important to emotional intelligence which contributes greatly to our learning abilities.
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Improves children’s health and fitness / fewer coughs and colds. Stimulates the senses. Increases children’s confidence, cooperation, well-being and overall happiness.
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Resilience and curiosity which strengthens each and everyone’s ability to succeed.