Introducing a Relaxed Forest School: Why all Play Matters
Posted by EYR Team on 19th Sep 2022
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What is Forest School?
Forest School has become a rapidly expanding pedagogy since being first introduced in the early 90s. It has a strong focus on the importance of child-led play and holistic development in the natural environment.
A variety of long-term benefits have been found associated with children who attend regular Forest School sessions. These include:
- Increased self-confidence
- Improved social skills
- A deeper connection to the natural environment.
Under the guidance of professionals, children take on a variety of adventures and challenges. This encourages them to explore their abilities and increase their confidence. All whilst developing a better understanding of how to navigate their environment appropriately.
The three rules are:
- Take care of yourself
- Take care of each other
- Take care of nature
Traditional Forest School
Methodical purists who promote a ‘pure’ Forest School experience often take inspiration from the wealth of resources that nature offers. The richness and variety of the natural world allows for many ways to reconnect with the outdoor environment.
Instead of bringing in ready-made pencils, a purist approach would include learning about the surrounding UK native trees. Utilising them to create handmade Elder pencils with charcoal centres - an opportunity to introduce safe tool use through bush craft.
Play is a process that is freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically motivated
Playwork Principle established by Play Wales Chwarae Cymru
The benefits of a relaxed approach: less traditional but more accessible
The growing movement of Forest Schools has seen the emergence of a more relaxed approach. Incorporating non-traditional methods to allow children to connect with the natural world in whichever way they feel comfortable.
Children have the freedom to explore the outdoors at their own pace. They have the opportunity to extend play through a number of crafts, instruments and toys that they find stimulating in order to allow them to reach their potential and fully enjoy their time outdoors.
While these activities may not be found in a more traditional setting, the underlying themes and ethos of Forest School are present. Children have opportunities to embrace the full forest school experience by making mud pies and setting up dens. They toast marshmallows around the campfire, hunt for bugs and are unlimited in where their play leads them.
The relaxed approach considers each child’s needs in order to adapt sessions and maximise engagement through play. For many children with sensory needs or disabilities these types of sessions become safe places to build a positive association with nature and inspire creativity.
Due to its nature, Forest School can be introduced in many different ways to make it accessible. For example, short stay and play sessions, having a mix of natural and familiar man made items available or linking sessions to pre-existing interests.
Kaya Roddick, Level 3 Forest School Trainee
All Play Matters
Forest school is intrinsically inclusive and each session is unlike any other. It is this diversity that forms the strong foundation in nurturing key skills required for healthy development.
Regardless of the chosen style, size or set-up, the positive impact of all approaches remains proven. Regular outdoor sessions provide a range of experiences and play opportunities while incorporating key areas of the National Curriculum.
Thanks to EYR social media apprentice and Forest School assistant Tahira Poswal for writing this blog for us! As a level 2 Forest School Assistant, Tahira has had experience at various Forest Schools around Manchester. Coupled with her more recent SEN/D work at Manchester Bees Forest School Tahira has a wealth of first hand experience of this approach and the positive impact it can have on children's development.
