Forest School Vs Muddy Puddle Teacher
The simplest way to describe the difference between The Muddy Puddle Teacher approach and Forest School is that we are an extension of indoor teaching methods using the outside space as our platform. Teaching outside helps us to create lessons that are more active, playful, natural based and sustainable. Typically our schools train their whole school and start the adventure together. This means that if any staff member leaves it is easy enough to train new staff members using our online CPD training. Once trained no more kit is needed as we promote the use of using natural materials to tighten the creativity and imaginative skills of both the teacher and child. Furthermore, many of our schools claim they save money, using fewer glue sticks a, paper and electricity. We are affordable enough for schools to train all staff and many of our schools use sports premium.
Typical activities include:
- Year 3 taking their Plants topic outside by experimenting and making composts studying artists
- Year 5 taking inspiration from Andy Goldsworthy and recreating sustainable Art
- Year 2 making multiplication chalkboard games.
- Early Years storytelling using bamboo for grids and natural resources
Forest School is a holistic approach, child led with certain criteria as to how much time should be spent outside and provides opportunities for children to take risks such as tree climbing, lighting fires and using tools. The sessions are child-led with no formal plan as such, with small groups of children. Often schools train a few staff members because of the cost. However, it is important to note that once that staff member leaves they take their qualification with them. There are however many schools that hire external Forest Schools as an option. Try the FSA to find one.
Typical activities include:
- Using a saw to cut wood to make medals or discs.
- Learning how to light a fire and roast a marshamallow
- Learning how to put up tarps
- Playing games in the woods
Many of our schools & nurseries actually use both, Forest School and The Muddy Puddle Teacher Approach hand in hand together. Using Forest School as a stand alone session each year group gets a turn each half term. Using MPT to help the teachers balance more of their inside lessons by taking them outside.
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The new way to do Outdoor Learning
EYFS | KS1 | KS2
Here are 3 top outdoor learning ideas to get you started :
- Make sure the children have the right clothing – bring a muddy bag in or dress for mud that day!
- Make it messy and muddy – why not you are outside!
- Stick to natural resources – less clearing up for you and more kind to the environment.
Our muddy resources support all curriculums and we use only natural resources so any school, anywhere can use our approach. Including Early Years Framework, NC, CfE, American Curriculums.
Looking for a group subscription? We offer big reductions for schools and nurseries that book in groups. The more staff the more the discount per person. Click here for a quote.
Outdoor learning in primary schools is an essential way to bring wellbeing to the classroom.
Here are some muddy top tips to make a start in each key stage.
- Outdoor Learning KS2 – Try taking 10-minute slots or brain breaks in between sessions. Do the Muddy Walk and Talk and just use it for general discussion or chat.
- Outdoor Learning KS1 – Try taking phonics games outside. Choose a sound and use leaves
- Outdoor Learning EYFS – If you can make sure there is an outside space that is accessible and start to reduce the plastic and have more natural objects. Such as leaves they can write on, stones to do art with. Strip back the made plastic objects and keep natural for optimum imagination and creative skills to be used.
- Outdoor Learning KS2 – Try taking 10-minute slots or brain breaks in between sessions. Do the Muddy Walk and Talk and just use it for general discussion or chat.
- Outdoor Learning KS1 – Try taking phonics games outside. Choose a sound and use leaves
- Outdoor Learning EYFS – If you can make sure there is an outside space that is accessible and start to reduce the plastic and have more natural objects. Such as leaves they can write on, stones to do art with. Strip back the made plastic objects and keep natural for optimum imagination and creative skills to be used.
For more outdoor learning ideas for primary schools, sign up for FREE! If it is active learning you are looking for try GoNoodle a great way to get kids moving inside the class.
Watch the MPT safety videos to help you practice the best outdoor learning methods. These videos are also useful for those practising forest school.
Search for more outdoor learning resources : Babies (0-2) | Tots (2-4) | EYFS (4-5) | KS1(5-7) | LKS2( 7-9) | UKS2 (9-11) | Special Needs
For Training head to: Accredited Training | Short Certificate Courses
Have you also checked: Outdoor Ebooks | Assembly Packs | Home Learning Packs | Safety Support | Special Outdoor Events
- Support Outdoor Learning charities and head to Learning through Landscapes who can help with free outdoor learning ideas.
- Institute for Outdoor Learning are also a fabulous charity to refer to if you want to gather ideas for outdoor learning training and organisations.
- Look out for Green Flag Award to promote outdoor learning in primary schools through the muddy puddles approach.