Forest School
What is Forest School Anyway?
Forest School, as defined by the Forest School Association, is “an inspirational process offering ALL learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees. Forest School is a specialized learning approach that sits within and complements the wider context of outdoor learning.” (www.forestschoolassociation.org) This educational model derives from Scandinavian and Baltic countries, where students are immersed in the natural world. The outdoors is the classroom, where the practice of teaching is alongside nature and the learner.
There are four key dynamics of forest school - the practitioner, the learner, the place and season, and the resources. Students learn through exploration and investigation and have a voice in their education. This education model is learner-centered, creating an equal learning community with joint decision making. Teachers are developing the whole person, not just their academic success. This is what is referred to as the “holistic” approach to learning.
Over recent decades, children have lost 25% of playtime and 50% of unstructured outdoor activities due to the requirements in school and a culture that is leaning towards extracurricular activities most nights of the week. Mental health is on the rise, especially anxiety in children. Research is now indicating that being out in nature can reduce stress level by as much as 28% in children.
As the world around us changed over the course of the pandemic, so did the theology of education for many families. Many students who attended public school before the pandemic, did not return, but continued on, in a homeschool structure, learning pod, or micro-school. Other families looked for alternative education models (outside of virtual) to enhance their child’s homeschooling experience, both academically and socially. Forest School is one such alternative education model. Although this pedagogy was inspired by Scandinavian countries, many other countries are beginning to embrace and recognize the success of this type of practice. Many nature-based organizations/schools are popping up across the United States. Additionally, the United Kingdom has now included this model in their public school system.
There is no better time to open the doors of education and bring nature back into the lives of our children. Be part of the movement! Let’s build a community of children who value the natural world and all it has to offer!
If not now, then when?
Who Are We?
The Miles of Fun Nature School is inspired by Scandinavian pedagogy - an education model of nature-based learning and what is referred to as Forest School. This education model immerses students in the natural world for all aspects of learning - academic and social-emotional. Students explore, investigate, draw conclusions, and create solutions with the guidance of a certified teacher. Most learning takes place outdoors allowing a larger canvas for learning and making connections. When people create connections to nature, they grow up to see the value in the natural world around them and their community as a whole. All members of the school community (adults and students alike) are valued and contribute to the success of the learning that takes place.
Miles of Fun Nature School differs from other nature-based schools in the area, in that we are integrating forest school and homeschool practices into one entity. We plan to serve the homeschool community in two ways. Homeschool students join our nature-based program, first, as an enhancement to their academic at home curriculum. Students will engage in lessons within the areas of STEM, the arts,team building activities, and individual exploration. Secondly, students will be given the opportunity to receive teacher-led assistance with any academic concept within their homeschooling curriculum, (e.g. math, ELA, science, social studies, etc.).
Our daily routine consists of academic time as well as enrichment time - both of which include the outdoors. Students will enjoy our daily dose of nature while we incorporate various academic and social skills, as well as build a community of humans who value the natural world and all it has to offer.
Links to Research and Information
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Email - milesoffunnatureschool@gmail.com
Website - www.milesoffunnatureschool.com
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