Potential
Benefits of Participating in Forest and Nature School:
"Improved confidence, social skills, communication, motivation, and concentration (O’Brien & Murray,2007); Improved physical stamina, fine and gross motor skills (O’Brien & Murray, 2007); Positive identity formation for individuals and communities (Russell etal.,2013) Environmentally sustainable behaviours and ecological literacy; Increased knowledge of environment, increased frequency of visiting nature within families (O’Brien & Murray, 2007); Healthy and safe risk-taking; Improved creativity and resilience; Improved academic achievement and self-regulation; Reduced stress and increased patience, self-discipline, capacity for attention, and recovery from mental fatigue; (Russell et al., 2013, p. 482); Improved higher level cognitive skills (Atchlet, Strayer & Atchley, 2012); Male inclusion in education. (Children & Nature Network, 2012; Massey, n.d.). (Forest School Canada, 2011, p.3)."
"Improved confidence, social skills, communication, motivation, and concentration (O’Brien & Murray,2007); Improved physical stamina, fine and gross motor skills (O’Brien & Murray, 2007); Positive identity formation for individuals and communities (Russell etal.,2013) Environmentally sustainable behaviours and ecological literacy; Increased knowledge of environment, increased frequency of visiting nature within families (O’Brien & Murray, 2007); Healthy and safe risk-taking; Improved creativity and resilience; Improved academic achievement and self-regulation; Reduced stress and increased patience, self-discipline, capacity for attention, and recovery from mental fatigue; (Russell et al., 2013, p. 482); Improved higher level cognitive skills (Atchlet, Strayer & Atchley, 2012); Male inclusion in education. (Children & Nature Network, 2012; Massey, n.d.). (Forest School Canada, 2011, p.3)."
This was
a chart found on Forest School Canada that captured my attention and put things
into perspective. It shows different domains and many aspects to why Forest Schools can benefit children. These are powerful statements and show all learners really are incorporated.
Fells Kindergarten Blog
This was a blog based on her experience as a student. She
was placed only in Traditional Classrooms and when going to Fells, it was a new
experience. She explains she is use to children taking a hard line approach and
having little time to complete work with no exploration. This was the only
teaching strategy and when walking into this school there was children running
around the forest with natural curiosity. Teachers weren’t pushing any lessons
and later found out that the children created the lessons themselves. The children at this
school had endless time and explored at ease. Teachers were there and
facilitated learning by asking questions to the children. It would challenge the
children in a way that motivated them to want to find the answer. She also
explains that in the Traditional classroom it was hard to keep the children
focused especially when not interested. Where at Fells, students went in the
woods and because of new experiences and ideas they explored and wanted to
learn up to an hour. Fell students never got bored and had a choice.
This blog showed an experience and compared a traditional classroom to a Forest School. In my opinion it seems a Forest School really is beneficial and, why not have the children motivated to learn? It seems we don't feel they are capable to do so and playing in a Forest may not be the answer. During my blog hopefully you will see it really is a great solution and key facts prove it helps children (ALL children) to develop appropriately.
This blog showed an experience and compared a traditional classroom to a Forest School. In my opinion it seems a Forest School really is beneficial and, why not have the children motivated to learn? It seems we don't feel they are capable to do so and playing in a Forest may not be the answer. During my blog hopefully you will see it really is a great solution and key facts prove it helps children (ALL children) to develop appropriately.
Another article found on Twitter was posted by @nature_org in tilted "A Classroom with no Walls." They describe Forest Schools as a bond between nature and children, so they become aware of the environment and carry it on in adulthood (McGurk, 2014). They also quote that children attending Forest Schools have fewer sick days, better motor development, are fitter, and more attentive then children in a traditional classroom (McGurk, 2014). The children are imaginative which will increase children interaction and allow for role playing games (McGurk, 2014). The article explains that this experience of Forest School is richer when being outside. The example they explain is an activity with a leaf. Children will start by counting, then identify the tree it came from, then the leaf may fly away which children will then discuss wind, and more (McGurk, 2014). The article quotes "You learn none of these in a classroom counting plastic elephants (McGurk, p. 1, 2014)."
I really enjoy the last quote of that article. Where is the learning in counting elephants? Why not count leafs that will later extend children's learning?
This video was so inspiring and really puts Forest Schools into perspective. It tells you benefits, explanations, tools, and real life examples. The children are the leaders and the teachers are the observers. We need to let children take risks and challenges to help them grow and develop. Let's start making learning fun and enjoyable.
I hope you enjoyed that video as much as I did! Now that we learned some benefits let's look at the educators role and how children are viewed in their eyes!
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