Forest schools

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Have you heard about forest schools? I recently came across information about them on one of the educational channels.

Forest school is a form of education that follows an alternative pedagogical approach. Instead of traditional classrooms, classes take place in nature.

The goal of forest school is to foster students' emotional intelligence, encourage reflection, reduce stress, and promote physical well-being. Forest schools primarily serve elementary school-aged students and preschoolers, although this educational may be be adapted for any age.

Forest School principles:

Holistic Development: The purpose of forest school is to develop students in multiple areas: - Emotional growth through creativity and collaboration - Spiritual development through reflection and connection with nature
Outdoor Learning: Classes take place in natural settings, allowing students to learn through hands-on experiences and observation.
Community: Forest schools emphasize cooperation, teamwork, and respect for others.Intellectual development through research and learning new things; social development through group work and communication with others.
Natural environment Classes should take place outdoors, preferably in a location with a variety of natural objects.
No standard curriculum The main difference between a forest school and a traditional school is not just the location of classes. Students' main task is to observe, learn, and explore the world around them by interacting with natural objects in every way possible. Through this process, they develop important skills and qualities for later life, such as critical thinking, emotional intelligence, responsibility, and teamwork.
Student-centered approach The focus shifts from academic results to the child's individual development. The forest school can't teach you how to solve equations or help you memorize the rules, but it can teach you to look inside yourself and understand your emotions, feelings, and thoughts.
Overcoming Fears During classes at the forest school, students may encounter social and emotional challenges, such as fear and shame. The goal of the forest school is to help students overcome their fears and embrace new experiences.
Qualified Staff Outdoor activities at the forest school require a qualified staff member to ensure safety. This person should be trained in first aid, know how to navigate the terrain, and be able to assess potential risks.

Research has shown the effectiveness of the forest school model: after attending classes, children become more empathetic and inquisitive.

The concept of the forest school can be criticized.
I am considering this approach as an element that could be taken and integrated into main teaching practice.
However, there are real full-time forest school programmes.

What do yo think of this approach? Do you know if there are forest schools in your country? Do you know any forest school teachers?

Here is a list of articles related to this topic:

Investigation of Forest School Concept by Forest School Teachers’ Viewpoints https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/iejeegreen/issue/53893/700443

The Canadian Forest School Movement https://learninglandscapes.ca/index.php/learnland/article/view/The-Canadian-Forest-School-Movement

Seeing the Forest and the Trees: A Historical and Conceptual Look at Danish Forest Schools https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/teach_learn_pub/74/

‘Forest School is muddy and I like it’ Perspectives of young children with autism spectrum disorders, their parents and educational professionals(https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Dawn-Male/publication/317752503_'Forest_School_is_muddy_and_I_like_it'_Perspectives_of_young_children_with_autism_spectrum_disorders_their_parents_and_educational_professionals/links/5d76b71c92851cacdb2deb6e/Forest-School-is-muddy-and-I-like-it-Perspectives-of-young-children-with-autism-spectrum-disorders-their-parents-and-educational-professionals.pdf)

Speech and Language Development in a Forest School Environment: An Action Research Project (https://study.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/speech-language-development-forest-school-environment-action-research.pdf)

@Ana_moderator I have only read about this in the textbook. One of the topic shared a text about forest school. Wish I can visit the real one. It will be very exciting and eye opening

Hello Ana
Forest schools are educational programs that occur primarily outdoors in natural environments like forests. Originating in Scandinavia, they emphasize hands-on experiences, play, and learning in nature. Activities include building shelters, identifying plants and animals, and developing survival skills. Forest schools aim to enhance children's physical health, emotional well-being, cognitive development, and social skills through immersive nature experiences.

Examples of forest schools include:

1. Forest School Association (UK): Promotes forest school principles and provides training and support for educators.

2. Nature School: Various organizations and institutions around the world operate nature-based schools that incorporate forest school principles.

3. Outdoor Preschools: Some early childhood education centers integrate forest school methodologies into their curriculum, offering outdoor learning experiences in natural settings.

4. Wilderness Schools: These schools often focus on outdoor survival skills and environmental education, incorporating elements of forest school philosophy.

5. Community Initiatives: Local groups and community organizations may organize forest school activities or programs to provide outdoor learning opportunities for children.

@Ana_moderator

Hi Ana,
Hope everything is going well.

Three years ago, I started an initiative in Puerto Rico called The Keep Growing Project and it looks like a Forest School concept. Students from different parts of Puerto Rico came to the San Patricio Forest to take a workshop with their parents in Earth Day. It is something beautiful to see, they are completely engaged and motivated. As you mentioned creativity and collaboration are part of this approach and came so natural as the environment they are immerse.

Try it, it will be an amazing memory for your students and for you. If you find a tree house better- Best of luck.

@Bousl2336873cb4 said in Forest schools:

Forest schools are educational programs that occur primarily outdoors in natural environments like forests. Originating in Scandinavia, they emphasize hands-on experiences, play, and learning in nature. Activities include building shelters, identifying plants and animals, and developing survival skills. Forest schools aim to enhance children's physical health, emotional well-being, cognitive development, and social skills through immersive nature experiences.

Thank you for sharing the general overview of the forest schools!

However, it would be even better, if you could refer to the topic with your own teaching experience and views! Please , see the questions below

What do yo think of this approach? Do you know if there are forest schools in your country? Do you know any forest school teachers?

@Ana_moderator

Hi Ana,
Hope everything is going well.

I'm so happy to find a Forest School in Puerto Rico, it is called Casa Pueblo. This Forest School consists of facilities and physical infrastructure in the natural environment with curricular content. The school includes non-traditional learning facilities with outdoor classrooms and an educational experience emphasizing Science, Mathematics, Agriculture, and the Arts. I will plan a visit; it is like 2 hours from my home.

Link: https://casapueblo.org/bosque-escuela/

@Ana_moderator said in Forest schools:

Forest school

Forest school is sounds new for me. after read text, I google about it. really its interesting.

@BRYANb8875625e5 said in Forest schools:

I'm so happy to find a Forest School in Puerto Rico

So great!
I have also searched for forest schools in Russia and found only two, not many.

I think there is a wider practice of forest schools and kindergartens in Germany

@Ana_moderator
Dear Ms. Ana,

I am interested to learn where in Russia there are examples of such schools. Could you please share the names or links to these schools?

@Ana_moderator
Thanks to your article and the discussion on the forum, I learned a bit more about forest schools. I believe that developing this project would be relevant in Uzbekistan. It is unlikely that I will be able to fully implement the project in our school, but we can take partial steps in developing forest schools.

For example, we can try to implement these projects using IT:

• Project "Animals": Children can keep track of encountered animals using cameras and species identification apps. This stimulates interest in biology, photography, and the use of mobile devices for research.
• Project "Plants": Children can photograph plants, learn their names using plant recognition apps, and record information about their growth and flowering.
• Creating a forest map: Children can create forest maps using GPS apps or special map drawing programs. This will help them navigate the area and develop spatial thinking.
• Treasure hunt using GPS: Organize a quest in the forest where children have to find hidden treasures using GPS coordinates.

@Ana_moderator
Hello Ana,

Forest school has a positive impact on student's learning. Infact children love outdoor activities as they are exposed to the nature. It also promotes discovery and inquiry based learning. Teaching and learning takes place while students enjoy themselves. Last week we went on an outdoor activity at the Casela Nature Park organised by an NGOs name TIPA, they an account on Social Media (Fb). The theme of the outing was Animals. The aim was to encourage and value children's involvement and participation while promoting creative learning. Students discovered different species and animals. They used their senses to learn more about the animals. They also learn what animals eat, how they move and how they reproduce. This enhances their critical thinking.

Hello Housna
Forest schools offer a unique educational experience by fostering a deep connection with nature, practical and experiential learning, and improvements in physical and mental health. They also develop social skills, adaptability, and resilience in students. However, they present challenges such as weather conditions, the cost of resources and equipment, increased supervision needs to ensure safety, limited access to technology, and access inequalities for some students. A balanced approach that combines the benefits of outdoor learning with traditional educational resources could maximize the advantages.
Best Regards from Tunisia
Chokri

@Bousl2336873cb4
Hello Chokri,
Hope you are fine. I completely agree forest schools promote experiential learning and further develop the critical thinking, social skill and the mental state of students. As my school is ZEP institution, so we don't have to bear the cost, as NGOs sponsor our outdoor activities. In addition, each student has his own tablet at school, so ICT tool is highly integrated outside the classroom. We organise forest school only upon approval of the Minsitry. Approval is only given only if the ratio of pupils going is consistent with the number of educators. Safety of pupils is highly guaranteed.

Hello Housna
You and yours are really very lucky to have had material support from other organizations.
Best Regards from Tunisia
Chokri

How naturally innovative these schools are. In Finland almost all the schools are next to forest and they have art classes there and play during the breaks, They use bicycles all year round, wear helmet and clothes with reflecting parts, they are even given candies to have reflecting parts while they drive to school and back home.

But having all the classes there is really fiscinating!

Hello Bilim
Quite simply, the Scandinavian countries are too lucky

@Bousl2336873cb4
Hello Chokri,

Yes indeed. To promote our school as Eco school, a company specialised in agriculture will sponsor us. I have been selected to coordinate the project. ZEP institutions get many facilities to improve their school climate.

@Ana_moderator
I don't know about Forest Schools" in our country there are neither firest shools nor forest school teachers. This is totally new thing for us.

@Ana_moderator
HI ANA,
Its really a new concept, but it sounds good and as a teacher I would say it is best method of hand-on activity. Sometimes when I take class outside in school play ground students show more attention what they have taught, so if it is forest school or an open class, near to nature can make big difference to learning outcomes. I searched after reading text and saw a forest school in my country too though they created it as the natural forest keeping the saftey measures. I'm still looking more from that school.