Defining Forest Schools

Forest schools take place in the same setting everyday for an extended period of time. Providing children with this opportunity allows them to gain a great deal about the area around them and build an ongoing connection with nature.

The Forest School curriculum is emergent, child-directed, and play based which allows learners the time and space to build their interests, skills, and understanding through both practical and hands on experiences. Within these Forest Schools, young people are able to have the freedom to explore, play, build, create, imagine, and use their senses to experience the outdoor environment while engaging with one another. Sustainability is brought into the culture of the classroom and as nature starts to become to third teacher in the room, sustainability becomes the foundation where both the children and teachers stand.

There is a strong emphasis on educators observing, learning and teaching with students when it comes to the environment. The observation process can allow children to have the space and opportunity to participate in carious activities and experiences that are guided by their own imagination instead of direction from the teachers. It can also leas to and inquiry process where the educators primary roles is to ask plenty of questions based on what the student’s own questions, experiences and their imagination. The guiding principle is that the children are competent and engaged learners. It is with the right guidance and support that the children are able to lead their own learning process in the directions they want, leading beyond what can be provided or initiated by an educator.

This information was gathered from the following website: 

http://www.forestschoolcanada.ca/home/about-forest-school/defining-forest-school