What is Forest School and how does it benefit children?

Forest school is a great asset for a child to develop their skills in different ways. Many nurseries and preschools offer this facility so that children can explore more life skills and ways to explore their confidence before they reach the later stages of their studies. In this guide we explore what a forest school really is, and how it is so beneficial for children.

What is a Forest School?

A forest school is a delivery of teaching held in the great outdoors. It’s a different way of teaching your child how to handle day-to-day skills, with an emphasis on communication, delegation and problem-solving. A lot of a child’s time in a forest school is spent working on their imagination, exploring the outside world and having fun.

Why are forest schools beneficial for children?

There are a number of benefits to a forest school in your child’s nursery.

• One of the big ones is the amount of creativity your child will get to experience from a young age. They’re getting to appreciate the great outdoors with their friends and people they may not know so well, which boosts their confidence immensely.
• Children are able to explore taking risks in a controlled environment. Tripping up and getting covered in mud or leaves does sound like an ordeal to clean up, but it’s teaching your child about what can happen.
• Oftentimes a nursery will encourage children to bring the projects and things they’ve learnt in forest school back to the classroom. This helps your child continue with their studies and not forget about the experiences they’ve had in the outside world.
• Finally, your child is going to have a heap of experience that can transfer to other parts of school life. It’s why your child is able to work on their self-esteem, independence and their own knowledge of the world much easier through these unique experiences.