What is Forest School? 

Forest Schools originated from Scandinavia, whereby the educational process there is that children learn outside until the age of 7. They believe that children should have a right and connection with nature playfully up to this age.  

In a nutshell, The types of activities done at forest schools are:

• Creating an open fire and fire lighting.
• Cooking on an open fire
• Using tools such as saws and hammers to create things in wood
• Playing games in nature 
• Nature-based activities
• Putting up Tarps and shelters
• Using devices such as kelly kettles are water buts
• Outdoor survival skills
• Bushcraft

The format:

• Typically it is child-led
• Unplanned for
• Teachers facilitate the learning, not teaching as such
• In a woodland area
• Prolonged periods outside and consistently 

In England, Forest School is widely recognised and often is delivered in various ways such as:

• A weekly afternoon session in schools
• Clubs and holiday schemes
• Nurseries
• Stand-alone companies offering birthday parties and toddler classes

Setting Forest School up at Your Setting

Forest Schools works as a very beneficial stand-alone session in schools to help children gain self-esteem and a sense of themselves and their environment. 

Here is a successful way to achieve that:

• Train 2 staff on Level 3
• I staff member every Friday afternoon takes a class out for the whole afternoon.
• This class does this for one full half term
• The next half term is the next classes opportunity

Some schools alternatively hire in forest schools; well worth googling what forest schools companies you have around you. 
Did you know The Muddy Puddle Teacher also offers training and resources on Outdoor Learning, helping you take your curriculum outside?

Forest School Literature

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