FOREST SCHOOL
What is Down the Woods Forest School?
A regular visit to a local wood or woodland on the setting's site where children participate in activities and games designed to build self-esteem, communication skills, independence and self- confidence through an appreciation of the natural environment.
Why?
To encourage physical and emotional development through outdoor play, the children have the opportunity to learn about the natural environment, how to handle risks and most importantly to use their own initiative to solve problems and co-operate with others.
HOW TO BOOK FOREST SCHOOL
A Forest School Practitioner will visit your school to tailor-make a programme to meet the needs of your group.
Ideally your class will visit once a week for six weeks, 8 weeks or 12 weeks, for a 2 hour session.
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Group Size: Up to 15 although we can take more with extra adult support.
(Extra charge per child)
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Contact us now for more information, or to arrange a Forest School Practitioner to visit and talk through the programme
Philosophy
The sessions are learner led, allowing the children to explore and develop at their own pace and within their own learning styles.
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A range of activities are used in the form of small achievable tasks such as building shelters, exploring mud, collecting firewood and finding treasures.
These activities are designed to explore their social development or self awareness development with the view to raising their self esteem.
Learners develop woodland skills and the ability to work as a team, to communicate well and boost their
self confidence.
The session activities are easily linked to National Curriculum or Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum.
BENEFITS
'Forest Schools is an innovative educational approach to outdoor play and learning.'
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‛The philosophy of Forest Schools,' is to encourage and inspire individuals of any
age through positive experiences and participation in engaging and motivating
achievable tasks.
Taking part in activities in a woodland environment, help the children to develop personal, social and emotional skills.
Research over a long period of time has found that the benefits in attending these outdoor classrooms are:
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• Improved concentration
• Improved social skills and empathising
• Improved co-ordination
• Fewer sick days
who visit the same local woodland on a regular basis.
Through play, they learn about the natural environment, how to handle risks and most importantly, to use their initiative to solve problems and co-operate with others.
Programmes run throughout the year going to the woods in all weather (except high winds).
Children play, learn boundaries of behaviour; both physical and social, they grow in
confidence, self-esteem and motivation.
Children need time to thoroughly explore their feelings, thoughts and relationships. This develops understanding of the world, the environment and everything within it through use of their emotions, imagination and senses.
Forest School has demonstrated success with children of all ages
