Forest School
Definition
Forest school is a pedagogical model that values natural spaces to learn technical, social and personal skills.
In forest and beach school, woods, forests, beaches, rivers, lakes and streams are used as resources to support children in building their independence and self-esteem (facing successive challenges that we can also call "controlled risk" or "conscious risk").
In this way, the child learns to overcome some of their fears, dealing with them and building their own comfort zone where they feel safe and calm.
In addition, in this environment, children also have the opportunity to develop in 3 major areas: the area linked to managing emotions and relationships with others, the area of expression (artistic, oral and written expression, mathematics, music, body language), and the area of knowledge of the world (the area of natural sciences, learning about local fauna and flora and a little about what surrounds us).
Teamwork is also widely developed in this environment because, when faced with certain challenges, children must come together to solve them.
In a natural context, Forest and Beach School leads us to think about this deep and significant connection between the Being and its surroundings, teaching us to understand this reality so that we can adapt and learn how we can integrate into it.
Nature is, without a doubt, the most beautiful bridge on this path of learning - Naterra
A concept born in Scandinavia
As is well known, the education system in the Nordic countries is excellent, and it is no coincidence that in the mid-1950s
Forest school originated in Denmark and shortly afterwards in Sweden. In Denmark it became part of the educational curriculum for pre-primary school in what they call småbørnspædagogik or early childhood education.
Although the 1950s were the birth date of the forest school, it is worth noting that the concept and its foundations predate 1800, when several books and communities already practiced the foundations of this concept. It is also easy to see direct influences from the Waldorf-Steiner model, which was already practiced in these countries.
It was noted that children who attended forest schools, in most cases, arrived at traditional school with strong social skills, a sense of ease in working in groups, good self-esteem and confidence in their abilities.
What is quality at Forest School?
There are 6 key principles that shape the forest school methodology:
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Forest School is a long-term process of regular sessions, not just one session or sessions without attendance. The cycle of planning, observation, adaptation and review links the sessions together.
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Forest School takes place in a forest or any wooded or natural area that supports the development of a lasting relationship between children and the natural world.
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Forest School uses a range of child-centred processes to create a community for Being, Developing and Learning
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Forest School tends to promote holistic development in all involved, promoting resilience, confidence, independence and creativity.
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Forest School offers children the opportunity to take calculated risks, appropriate to the environment and to themselves
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Forest School activities must be led by qualified Forest School Leaders (forest school leaders) who continually maintain and develop their professional practice.
Only after we see the 6 principles can we truly see the values of Forest School.
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Children are not all the same: they are unique and valued beings.
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Able to stop and explore/discover
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Able to experience appropriate risks and challenges
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Able to choose, initiate and direct their own learning and development
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Able to experience regular successes
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Able to develop positive relationships with themselves and others
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Able to develop a strong and positive relationship with the natural world
