The benefits of Forest School and outdoor learning in our curriculum
There is no doubt that being outside is great for everyone – but especially for children. There are so many health benefits to fresh air and running off some energy, as well as keeping your body healthy and fit.
However the outdoors can also be used to give the brain a workout too! Forest School and outdoor learning have become buzzwords in the world of education over the last few years, as the benefits are becoming more and more obvious. Research shows that being outdoors and, in particular, outdoor learning, has many benefits for both children and teachers, by improving health, wellbeing, education and engagement in school.
Forest School is an innovative programme that has allowed us to teach the next generation about the world around them, how it works and what their place is within it. The programme aims to get children engaged with their surroundings at a very early age to instil a lifelong passion for nature. Learning and playing outdoors and connecting with nature is also very important to childhood development. It provides children with the opportunity to have fun and have hands-on, stimulating learning experiences that build awareness of the world around them.
There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad equipment
Naturally, heading outside when the weather is warmer is preferred, however, it's vital that children continue to explore nature in all weathers for their once-a-day exercise to develop greater understanding of the environment and to benefit their own physical and mental wellbeing.
There is no need to spend lots of money on equipment or clothing to go outside – you just need a few essentials to keep children warm and dry. Layering up t-shirts and jumpers will ensure children are warm. Staples like wellingtons and waterproofs are highly recommended for ensuring your child's outdoor adventures are safe, warm and dry.
Use the space around you
Travelling will, of course, not be possible in the coming months, but there is no need to journey to the mountains or woods for your child to have valuable outdoor experiences. If you have a garden, this is the perfect place for children to explore and enables them to get to know their immediate home environment.
Children can hunt for leaves, sticks and rocks to create small dens for wildlife and can search for bugs such as worms and spiders. Doing this throughout all the seasons will assist children in their understanding of the changes in nature and the fauna that thrive in all-weather types. If possible, leave an area of grass free to grow as it will become more inviting to wildlife.
Outdoor learning and Forest School are key parts of the curriculum at ACS; Lower school students spend one day per week learning through nature, with the freedom to explore, enquire and adventure in a secure and controlled environment.
Our upper school students have a number of lessons that include outside working and interaction throughout the school year, but are also encouraged to take part in both co and extra-curricular initiatives. These include Duke of Edinburgh, Kenya project, Wilderness Engagement module through the GCD programme and other trips throughout the year. The recent climate has meant we have had to hit pause on a number of these initiatives, especially overseas trips, but the long term goal is to offer students opportunities to explore their relationship of the world around them.
Outdoor learning ensures children are able to work on their social skills, such as communication and teamwork, and are encouraged to work together to problem-solve issues in the external environment and share success. It also helps children become resilient through activities that require multiple attempts to master.
This child-led approach to learning, also allows students to learn at their own pace exploring things in nature that they take an interest in and learn skills invaluable to their life ahead.
As children get older, the great outdoors remains a positive and essential element in a student's continuum of learning.