What is a Forest School?
Forest School is based on a fundamental respect for children and young people and their capacity to develop as they play, explore and investigate in a woodland environment.
The aim of Forest School is to provide a regular opportunity for children to visit a natural environment for extended periods of time. Giving children this time and space provides opportunities to be inspired and motivated to create imaginative playful experiences which aid in the development of their communication and language skills.
Children take part in achievable child-led tasks both individually and collaboratively which will help to build confidence and self-esteem, develop personal, social and emotional skills, encourage turn taking and value perseverance and resilience. Children are encouraged to be independent and use their initiative as they choose their task and persevere as they complete it. We value the child making decisions and leading each session. In Forest School we focus on the process, the skills and dispositions developed.
As they explore our woodland, the children develop physically. This includes their coordination and fine and gross motor skills as they; dig, transport, climb and mix. As children move in an unfamiliar environment they need to negotiate dips, mounds and roots. As they play, children make discoveries and learn about the natural environment making observations of the world around them as it changes throughout the seasons. As we visit in all weathers, children enjoy observing the changing weather and talking about the noise and feel of the rain as well as building shelters to protect themselves from it. Children interact with natural resources, search for insects and investigate trees and plants.
