Updated: Oct. 23, 2019
Originally Published: Oct. 23, 2019
At the Green Valley Forest Academy, children spend four days a week, five hours a day, immersed in nature—regardless of the weather, even in chilly conditions. This forest school embraces the concept of learning in a natural environment, allowing kids to enjoy fresh air and the freedom to explore, discover, and connect with their surroundings.
While the focus is on preparing children for kindergarten, it’s a different kind of readiness than you might expect. Many preschoolers today are confined to their seats, with a mere 8% of their time allocated to outdoor free play, as highlighted by The New York Times. In contrast, forest schools unlock a world of significant benefits when they remove the physical barriers of traditional classrooms.
What is a Forest School?
Generally catering to children aged 3-6, forest schools prioritize outdoor learning and embrace unstructured, child-led activities over conventional lesson planning. As noted by the Times, kids might observe how rain affects the stream levels, fostering an understanding of cause and effect. They may learn bird calls, which can support early literacy skills.
Activities such as “rolling down the hill” transform into lessons in physics, while adventurous play—like climbing trees or using tools—is often encouraged. Rain, sleet, or snow won’t deter these little learners; they thrive outdoors in all conditions.
Most importantly, forest schools emphasize play-based learning. Instead of sitting at desks memorizing vocabulary, children engage with nature using pine cones for pattern recognition or sticks to refine their motor skills. This stands in stark contrast to the conventional preschool model, which has evolved into a structure resembling the old kindergarten or first grade.
My cousin, who spent years teaching in a traditional preschool, was a masterful instructor. Her students grew beans that had traveled to the moon, and she ensured they left knowing their letters and numbers. However, forest school kids are a different breed. They get dirty, feast on wild berries, dig in the earth, and explore their world with gusto.
According to the Novak Djokovic Foundation, a prominent authority on forest education, these schools are founded on the belief that every child needs to explore and discover. They promote the idea that children are “equal, unique, and valuable,” encouraging them to face appropriate risks and challenges. Kids are empowered to initiate their own learning journeys and develop meaningful relationships with themselves and others.
What Benefits Do Forest Schools Offer?
First and foremost, the advantages of outdoor learning are well-documented. Today’s children spend less time outside than ever, but research shows that outdoor exposure has immense benefits. Harvard University confirms that it provides essential vitamin D, enhances executive functioning skills—such as planning and multitasking—and fulfills their need for physical activity, all while fostering social interactions. The Child Mind Institute emphasizes that outdoor experiences boost confidence, spark creativity, and reduce stress, and they can even help alleviate symptoms of ADHD.
Moreover, evidence from Forbes suggests that outdoor play can combat obesity, help with mental health issues, and even improve sleep quality. Interestingly, kids who engage in risky play develop better motor skills and risk assessment abilities, which can lead to fewer injuries later in life.
A small study in the UK found that disadvantaged children who participated in forest school programs for three years saw improvements in their reading, writing, and math skills, along with increased school attendance and resilience.
Challenges to Accessing Forest Schools
Despite their benefits, forest schools come with challenges, primarily concerning accessibility. They can be costly due to high staff-to-student ratios, making it difficult for working parents to manage schedules. Additionally, the need for outdoor gear can add up quickly, especially for growing children.
However, incorporating forest school principles into existing curriculums is quite feasible. Outdoor free play can be facilitated in any green space, not just forests. The Times mentions nature-based preschools in urban gardens and even deserts. Schools can embrace free play and child-centered learning in nature without committing fully to a forest school model.
When you pick up your child from preschool, consider the difference in their experiences: one may present you with a perfectly crafted turkey art project, while another might be covered in mud, sporting berry-stained hands, and proudly holding a pinecone creation. Both have learned valuable lessons, yet their methods of exploration and creativity differ tremendously.
As we reflect on what early childhood education should entail, we must ask ourselves: Should children be confined to desks or allowed to run free? Should they learn letters or build forts? The choice is clear—a forest school would advocate for the freedom to explore.
While not everyone may have access to a forest school, we can advocate for traditional schools to embrace outdoor learning, even if just occasionally.
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Summary
Forest schools provide a refreshing alternative to traditional education, emphasizing outdoor learning and child-led exploration. With numerous benefits, from enhancing physical health to fostering creativity, these schools offer an enriching experience that challenges the conventional preschool model. While accessibility can be a barrier, adopting elements of forest education in existing programs can greatly benefit children.
Keyphrase: Forest Schools
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