FOREST SCHOOL IS LIFE
AWE-INSPIRING FOREST SCHOOL TRAINING -
AND MORE!
Welcome to Forest School is Life - accessible forest school training for all
** Please note that our main base has changed to Selsdon, Croydon**
In short, we provide amazing, incredible, awe-inspiring forest school training for childcare professionals in London, Surrey and beyond!
Offering levels 1-3, ideal for early years, primary, secondary teachers and parent introductory classes in London, England.
If you want to help young minds develop within a natural setting, proven to improve confidence, self-esteem and concentration, then this is the place for you.
To find out more you can follow the buttons below or contact us directly at hello@forestschool.life or on +443300432969.
We see ourselves as a forest that wants to birth seeds. They’ll grow into trees, eventually becoming a forest itself. Through great understanding and depth within this ethos, we train any aspiring Forest School teachers in this rich curriculum, so more reap its benefits. We wholeheartedly believe in this approach and see this more than just education but life itself. Forest school is life.
Visit our blog for more info >>
Forest School is Life...here's why!
Forest School offers an excellent opportunity for play and exploration. Practical tasks, which can be linked to the national curriculum, are designed to enhance children’s development through imagination, communication, knowledge, cohesion, physicality, and creativity. This holistic approach drives the Forest School initiative. Most importantly – Forest School helps promote a healthier lifestyle for children and adults alike. We aim to create a better future by giving children the chance to flourish through their own capabilities. Their ventures and experiences will shape them into better humans who are more adept at taking on our modern world. Making decisions that suit them by whittling down their interests into what it is they enjoy, rather than trying fit themselves into something that isn’t their forte.
Space - As humans, our curiosity gets the best of us. We often look up and ponder what’s beyond our reach, in hope that our future reaches the stars… But it’s important to be equipped with facts when surrounded by the unknown. The Forest School ethos promotes questioning. Questions require answers, in turn, learning opportunities are made: ‘I thought the Moon only comes out at night?’, ‘The Earth is bigger than the sun!’.
This form of holistic development also includes the development of the spirit - a part of you that can easily be lost through the systematic churning of adulthood. The spiritual connection an individual can have with nature is something we don’t believe science can measure. That itself makes it something purely benevolent – a phenomenon that can only be explored through experience.
Atmosphere - Our atmosphere makes life on Earth possible, protecting us from the dangerous rays emitting from the Sun. The Earth’s atmosphere is always apparent, aiding subtly as life progresses. Forest School leaders must act like the atmosphere toward children within their sessions, always observing and protecting. When possible, we take a step back and allow children to explore the session themselves (known as ‘free-flow’ or ‘open exploratory’ play). Through this approach we maximise their experience, as through their independence they’ll secure knowledge, along with the confidence to attempt it again. Repetition is key for retention.
Sky - Forest school increases a child's range of vision. In comparison to a classroom or office encased within four walls, each adventure will offer a sighting that’ll be a fair distance away. Like our muscles it’s important to exercise our eyes with varied ranges.
Looking closely at an insect within a few centimetres, to then extend the field of vision to a bird crossing the horizon or plane darting between the clouds will strengthen the eye. Making it more attune to light and dark, weather as well as aiding peripheral vision as children learn to be more aware of their surroundings.
Canopy - Nature’s ecosystems are divided into layers. Starting at the top – the canopy level harbours much life and opportunities to relay much importance. The most nutritious leaves reside here as they absorb the most sunlight. Another name for canopy is the crown. Like the leaves on top of a tree, we want our learners to absorb enriching experiences, moments they’ll cherish and take with them in their future journeys when they eventually fly the nest. The seasons teach us plenty. Even when a tree is bare in autumn or winter it’s still profound and strong, understanding its duties toward itself and the ecosystems it serves.
Animals - We learn about animals in school, in magazines and through educational programmes, but through Forest School you get to experience them. Random encounters with wildlife can create memorable moments for all. From stumbling upon a fox den, hearing the chirp of a new born, the peck of a woodpecker, seeing a squirrel climbing up a tree, a scurrying door mouse. Forest School is an endless supply of opportunities that change dependant on location and season, meaning the experiences will always come with variety.
Flora - Knowledge and precise flora identification skills is paramount in Forest School. Nature is vast. Much of it is beautiful and interesting but also can be dangerous. We must be able to identify the dangers within any natural setting we use, to protect ourselves, staff and most importantly the children. Knowledge is key. The more you know, the more knowledge you have at your disposal. In Forest School, you have the ability to teach children about species of flora, whilst examining the changes they ensue through the seasons... and more!
Fauna - This refers to 'all the animals apparent within a particular time or region’. For example, the fauna in Africa would differ from the UK because of climate and the flora it hosts. Nature adapts over time, meaning the fauna will too. Fauna helps maintain the stability of various natural processes by keeping the food chain in place, thereby maintaining ecological stability.
Fossils - Fossils are the preserved remains creatures from years ago. Children love dinosaurs and usually fossils go hand in hand with our extinct dino friends. Chalk is a natural resource that children use often. Many might be unaware that chalk is in fact made up of microscopic seashells and skeletons of plankton! When digging or being creative with children, fossils can be a go to narrative! Generally the importance of old and new can be highlighted here.
Nature expresses itself quite clearly at times, portraying vibrant and subtle colours. Fresh leaves are bright green and decaying ones going through a sequence of changes from yellow, orange, red and brown .. until they eventually become one with nature. Nature has its cycles. Through experience and observations we’ll see these changes as seasons progress – this works the same with animals who'll eventually be reduced to bones after death and become one with nature again.
If done from a young age, they’ll have the advantage of paving a direct path toward what it is they want from their life.
Visit our blog for more info >>
Core - The core values that make us unique from each individual is a defining aspect of Forest School. Being placed in an area that harbours plenty of options will allow you to define what it is that you are drawn to; not only in forest school, but within yourself.
A child will fine tune their interests through play, becoming more decisive, angling toward their core values. Regardless to not having an interest toward something, the experience plays a huge part. Like the rich minerals beneath our surface that bind the earth together, we feel it's important a human finds what binds and fuels them.