Forest School allows pupils to explore the environment
and let the environment teach the children. It allows the children to learn
about nature as well as getting them out of the usual dynamic of a classroom where
they’re able to learn the subjects of the National Curriculum in a stimulating
environment.
Green Learning Forest School believes that the value of
Forest schools is child led learning, based on small, achievable tasks. (More about Forest School, 2011)
Forest Schools allow children to learn how to handle and
access risks, to work with their peers and cooperate with others. It also
presents problems to be solved which allow children to use their initiative and
express their ideas. It helps children’s personal and social development as
activities they participate in may require them to discuss and negotiate with
others. Forest School is important for building confidence and self esteem
within the children which will transfer into their everyday lives and anything
else they participate in.
Forest Research found that there were six main benefits
to the children from participating in Forest School as well as two wider
benefits. The six benefits were that it builds the children’s confidence as
they were given freedom and space to learn, it also developed social skills as
children become more aware of the consequences of their actions. It increased
the children’s communication with each other and so helps to develop their
language. It was also found that Forest School helps develop children’s
motivation and concentration, as well as their physical skills and knowledge
and understanding. The two wider benefits that were found are new perspectives
as the teachers gained a new understanding of their pupils as they observed
them in a new setting. The second benefit is the children retold what they had
experienced to their families (Forest School: a marvellous
opportunity to learn) . Research by New Economics Foundation
and Forest Research back up these findings as they found specific positive
outcomes for the children that take part in Forest Schools, and wider benefits
that have a relation to improvements in self confidence, social skills,
language and communication, motivation and concentration, physical skills,
knowledge and understanding and new perspectives for both the children and
practitioners (Kenny) .
Forest School allows all children with different learning
styles to be on an equal level as being in a natural environment allows visual
auditory and kinaesthetic stimulation. The skills that children learn can be easily
transferred to their day to day lives and can also cause a ripple effect on
their family and friends.
I
think that by getting the children out of the structured setting of a classroom
it builds their enthusiasm to learn and develops their knowledge and
understanding further. New Economics Foundation and Forest Research found
specific positive outcomes for the children that take part in Forest Schools,
and wider benefits that have a relation to improvements in self confidence,
social skills, language and communication, motivation and concentration,
physical skills, knowledge and understanding and new perspectives.
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