WHAT IS FOREST SCHOOL AND FOREST KINDERGARTEN
Forest schools and kindergartens are for everyone. Both children and adults are supported in their learning and encouraged to explore the outdoor environment and appreciate nature. Forest School leaders use role modelling strategies and mentoring to encourage play and creativity, develop confidence, emotional resilience, independence, language and communication skills and increase levels of physical activity and holistic wellbeing.
WHAT MAKES FOREST SCHOOL AND FOREST KINDERGARTEN DIFFERENT
Some of these key features are not unique to Forest School but when brought together they provide an inspirational experience for the child, or adult, that they would not get elsewhere.
The key features are
- The use of a woodland or natural area
- Regular and frequent time outdoors
- Learning is person-centred and person led and linked to the curriculum
- The freedom to explore the sense of self and place using multiple senses
- A high adult to pupil ratio.
Forest Education training programme
The Forest Education training programme consists of two levels of CPD opportunities for those working with children across early years, upper primary and high school. Both of these courses are offered as essential components of professional knowledge and practice when undertaking work in the outdoors regularly within the schools and lifelong learning sector.
AVAILABLE AT
Bangholm
Louise Caldwell
Forest Schools Development Officer
louise.caldwell@edinburgh.gov.uk