Nature is a tool to get children to experience not just the wider world, but themselves.
-Stephen Moss
What is Forest School?
“Forest school” is a type of early childhood education that takes place in nature and is focused on the holistic development of the child. Despite its name, the setting doesn’t have to be in a forest - it can take place on a farm, at the beach or even in someone’s backyard!
Originating in Denmark in 1952 when Ella Flautau and her neighbors started a child-care program for their children in a nearby park, forest school programs (also known as “forest kindergarten” or “outdoor preschool”) can now be found across the globe and are gaining popularity in the United States.
Building on the research-backed concept that being outside in nature is an ideal place for young children to grow and learn, in forest school:
Worksheets, alphabet charts and building blocks are replaced by climbing trees, sticks and mud. Keiki immerse themselves in nature and learn the best way they know how - through play.
Children lead their learning, while teachers (sometimes called “guides” or “mentors”) take a step back and observe, ready to step in when necessary for safety or to foster learning through teachable moments and extended activities.
Curriculum is emergent and ever-changing dependent on the children’s interests and the changing land and seasons.
There is an emphasis on play and all the benefits it offers, but also time for stillness and quiet, allowing children to build focus and observation skills and create a kinship with the land around them.
Sustainability practices are embraced. Keiki compost left over food, plant gardens, and forage greens and fruits from the land around them. Care is taken to reuse materials onsite and utilize objects found in nature for art projects whenever possible.
Placed-based learning is woven into each day, whether it’s hands-on engagement with local plant species or learning about Hawaiian cultural from a local practitioner. Kupuna, scientists, farmers, and other community members visit the forest school throughout the year to share their knowledge with the keiki about this special place we call home.
What are the benefits of forest school?
“Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.”
~John Lubbock
Whether they are climbing trees, navigating uneven terrain, or playing with loose parts, keiki are very active during a forest school day, continually developing their fine and gross motor skills.
Through adventurous play, keiki learn how to assess risk and are given opportunities to approach challenges at their own pace, building self-esteem and confidence.
Keiki spend the majority of their time outside - even when it rains! Rainy day play and exploration introduce new ways to experience the world, promoting healthy brain and body development.
Much of a forest school day is about free play. Unstructured play promotes social and collaborative skills such as sharing, taking turns, rule making, negotiating, and self-advocacy. And playing outside gives keiki the space and freedom to learn and practice these important life skills.
Being outside in nature combined with the freedom to explore and experiment fosters keiki creativity and imagination.
Keiki are consistently engaged in sensory play, which is crucial to brain development and naturally encourages children to use scientific processes while they play, investigate and explore.
When immersed in nature, keiki naturally wonder about the world around them, ask questions and share ideas; they play “make-believe” and act out imaginative stories using rich dialog - all examples of early literacy that lay the foundation for reading and writing down the road.
Keiki repeatedly spend time in the same natural environment. They get to know the animals and plants that live there and observe seasonal changes to the weather and trees. This intimate nature-connection creates a sense of belonging, affinity for the land, and a yearning to care for and protect it.
Although much of a forest school day is centered around exploration and adventurous play, time is also set aside for quiet and peaceful moments in nature which help keiki develop their ability to focus, listen and observe.