What are the Benefits of Forest Schools within the Educational System?

Forest schools in the UK are based on the Scandinavian idea in the 1950’s of embracing the outdoor as a learning environment.  It involves children working with a qualified Forest School Leader once a week throughout the year in local woodland.  Forest School Wales (2013) states that they have become so popular that schools have developed their own forest site within their grounds and further schools are growing to do the same.

              During forest sessions children typically build dens, make rope bridges, fires and learn about the natural environment which is fundamentally self-initiated activities. The benefit of a forest school is that it teaches children everyday skills to stretch beyond the usual boundaries by learning to handle risks, such as the dangers of lighting a fire. I think this is allowing them to learn for themselves instead of being taught.   However O’Brien (2009) argues that forest school does not follow the National Curriculum just because it is not presented in the traditional way of education. In fact I believe it links into the curriculum alongside the core subjects for example it uses science with the experiments that children come up with, the artistic creation of art and the demands of physical education. The main difference is the outdoor context is used instead.

 

 This video demonstrates the activities in which a child can typically do at Forest School

           Leaders of the forest schools enhance this type of learning because it looks at the creativity of different learners such as kinaesthetic and visual (Sharp et al 2009). It can increase self- confidence and self -belief within the child and make them want to come to school because of the enjoyment of freedom in the forest.  A case study of a child that had struggled to listen, concentrate and had a lack of communication with other children saw the total benefits of forest learning (Forest School Learning Initiative 2005). After a few sessions he became excited and had the ability to adhere to rules and when he had an idea he would be the first to start and everyone would follow him.  I believe this allowed him to overcome all the fears that he had.    

          Forest school encourages children to make their own choice which shows independence. Meggitt (2008) explains further that it gives them an option of working individually or as a part of team which can benefit in communication and language skills. They also learn to share material being used and to control their behaviour outside of a classroom environment. I think that it allows you to see the physical changes within the child and alternative view of future potential.

 

Children Playing in Forest School either individually or as a team.

  Overall I believe forest schools are beneficial to the educational system and emphasise to children that learning can take place anywhere not just in the classroom. The demands for forest schools are growing due to the positive results that have been discovered.