Forest Schools
Want to learn more about Forest Schools? Read on:
What are the defining characteristics of a Forest School classroom?
The classroom exists entirely outside and school happens rain or shine. The teacher may bring additional tools and materials to augment the experience (art supplies, shovels, nets, magnifying glasses, journals, etc). It’s common for children in forest programs to develop a sense of ownership over their outdoor classroom and come up with their own names for specific areas of the forest or park where they spend their time.
What is different about how Forest School teachers approach their work?
A teacher in a forest program is typically very comfortable with following an emergent curriculum, meaning one that unfolds naturally and gradually based on the interests of the children and what is happening in the environment. As you might expect, a forest program is very in sync with the rhythms of the natural world, and nature, ecology, and the natural world tend to be at the center of the curriculum.
- Often embraces a healthy risk taking approach
- Very in sync with the rhythms of the natural world - nature and ecology tend to be at the center of the curriculum
- There is no specific governing body for forest schools
- Forest school teachers come from any number of backgrounds and may go through a variety of trainings, certifications, or degree programs