The Whispering wood

Forest School ethos

“Forest School is an inspirational process, which offers all learners regular opportuneness to achieve, develop confidence and self-esteem, through hands on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees”. Children will be motivated and engage in achievable tasks and activities throughout the year and in most weathers. Children will work with tools, play, have fun and learn the boundaries of their behaviour both physically and mentally. Children will grow in confidence and their self-esteem will be enhanced during the sessions. Children will develop an understanding and respect for the natural environment. The Forest School concept originates from Denmark. Originally aimed at pre-school children where it was found that when they started school their social and communication skills were very strong. These strong foundations helped to raise their academic achievements. Introduced here in the 1990’s and rapidly spreading and providing an exhilarating experience for children. Please see www.Forestschools.com for more information

Forest School encourages children to:

• Learn how to work through practical problems
• Develop their personal and social skills
• Discover how they learn best
• Learn how to manage failure
• Build confidence in decision making and evaluating their work
• Develop their practical skills
• Become more motivated
• Learn how to manage and evaluate their own risk
• Learn how to use tools safely
• Explore the connections we have with nature and our environment
• Regularly experience achievement and success of self and others
• Improve concentration skills
• Improve fine and gross motor skills
• Develop their language and communication skills
• Become more confident
• Have fun!

How do we support children’s social and emotional growth?

• Remember we are the role models.
• Join in and play alongside the children.
• Don’t do it for them, but encourage them.
• Listen to what the children have to say.
• Take time to stand back and watch- you don’t always have to get directly involved.
• Always use positive language- we want these sessions to be positive, Fun and offer a no fail environment.  Encourage and praise noteworthy efforts made by the children. The process is just as important as the end result.
• Allow the children and yourself to get dirty.
• Be aware and sensitive to the child’s needs.
• Please discuss any issues/concerns regarding safety with the Forest school leader.
• Building trust amongst children and helpers is a key element to the forest school experience.
• Allow children to feel safe and to express how they feel.
• When at forest schools we will all be known by our chosen forest School name (e.g. Kelly Koala) Forest school sessions are fun and are all about helping our children to be independent, self-motivated, considerate and courageous. This approach helps children to become skilled lifelong learners whilst supporting the development of emotional growth and self-esteem.