Forest School Fun

 Happy New Year!

One of my new year's resolutions was to make sure I get Bea out and about more, I've gotten into a routine of staying in and just doing the housework and avoiding people which isn't fair on Bea and she needs to be out doing things rather than being stuck indoors.

Both Bea and I will benefit more from me putting on my big girl pants by just getting out there.

So as well as attending her beloved Hartbeeps group I am making an effort to find new groups and places for her to go.

Like the boys, Bea loves being outside and getting her hands dirty, so I knew she'd have fun at forest school.

The teacher who runs it is a friend and we used to attend her other group when we used to live at our other house, she was also the twin's beaver leader.

Bea was pleased to put her new puddle suit on and happily got stuck right in.

The other children were all very sweet, it was a mix of other toddlers and home-ed children.

We got there in time for story time around the fire and snack time which was toffee apples and popcorn.

We (by we I mean me) made a spider hat, which Bea liked from afar. Spiders are definitely not her favourite.

Even though it was super chilly, it was nice to be out in the woods, Bea loved trying out all the different swings and toys that were dotted around.

She didn't spot the mud kitchen but I know that's something she'll love playing with next time.

The benefits of Forest School in the early Years

• self-awareness.
• motivation.
• empathy.
• social skills.
• communication skills.
• independence.
• self-esteem and confidence.
• physical skills including the development of both gross and fine motor skills

Jon and I have been discussing Bea's future education and have both agreed we'd like her to be home-schooled, so starting groups like this now will benefit her further down the line.

Forest school is every other week, and I have a couple more groups that I have signed up too, so hopefully, this is the year for Bea and me to become more social.

Do you struggle to socialize since having a baby?

Are you stuck in the same old routine of just doing the school run and then staying at home?

The Benefits of Forest School for Young Children

 Nowadays, children are spending far too much time glued to a digital device, losing sight of the simple pleasures obtained from outdoor play. With this in mind, many schools around the world, including this private nursery in Battersea, have established Forest School. 

The is a child-centered, learner-led approach that encourages children to make independent decisions, develop an appreciation towards nature, learn to assess risks, and solve various problems. Through frequent sessions, Forest School makes way for holistic growth, including improved self-esteem and intellectual progression.  

In simple terms, Forest School is a type of outdoor learning that includes activities such as climbing trees, scavenger hunts, making mud pies, using gardening tools, and a range of other fun and educational endeavors. It’s all about allowing children to get their hands dirty in a safe, structured environment while focussing on using natural resources. After all, learning isn’t limited to a classroom. 

So, here are some of the benefits of Forest School in further detail…

 

• Improves Physical & Mental Health: Forest School allows children to run, roam and play in the fresh air, which is beneficial for their mental and physical wellbeing.

 

• Encourages Curiosity: Finding ways to nurture curiosity is important because it helps children become more observant and experimental. Forest School encourages curiosity because it allows children to discover more about the world around them and ask questions while trying to figure things out. 

 

• Advances Motor Skills: When children engage their bodies, as well as their minds, they are able to develop their fine and gross motor skills, as well as hand-eye coordination, all of which aid in the completion of everyday tasks. 

 

• Enhances Social Skills: During Forest School sessions, children must communicate with their peers and work as part of a team to solve problems. These types of interactions are not always available to them in traditional classroom environments. 

 

• Promotes Respect for the Environment: As children spend more time outdoors and experience nature first-hand, they learn more about different animals and bugs, trees, and flowers, and how the seasons change. This promotes a sense of respect for the environment. 

 

These are just a few of the many benefits of Forest School. As children have fun, build strong relationships, and develop a range of skills, they become increasingly more confident. 

This is crucial for their overall success in school and beyond because it will give them the strength to take risks and try new things.