What is Forest & Nature School?

Forest & Nature School is a research-backed model of education that is rooted in supporting the ways children naturally thrive, learn and grow.

It always takes place outdoors in the same natural area, allowing children to build a deep relationship with that particular place. Each day is different as we observe what's happening on the land, and teach different ways to interact with it.

Everything a child learns at Forest & Nature School is intrinsically motivated and learned enthusiastically, in a naturally emergent, relaxed rhythm and through unstructured free play. All day long, in all types of weather, kids ask questions, explore, discover, create, move and learn, on and with the land.

Forest School facilitators support all participants in exploring their unique interests, share skills and nature-based crafts and games, and model respect and reciprocal relationships with their natural environment and those around them. 

Read more about the pedagogy of Forest & Nature School.

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Forest & Nature School Activities

Wetenschap

We bieden microscopen, schepnetten, verrekijkers en vergrootglazen aan. We bespreken nuttige en eetbare planten, maar ook gevaarlijke planten, en de traditionele verhalen en leringen van de inheemse bevolking over dieren en planten. We nodigen inheemse ouderen, workshopleiders en kennisdragers uit om hun kennis over het land, de planten en de dieren te delen.

Houtbewerking

Onder nauwlettend toezicht en met zorgvuldige begeleiding voorzien we kinderen van gereedschap voor houtsnijden, houtbranden en andere houtbewerkingstechnieken, waaronder het werken met handzagen, hamers en bijlen.

Kunst

We offer watercolour painting with Beam paints (a natural, Indigenous owned paint company) for creative/imaginative art, animal, plant and landscape painting. We do 'zen' painting activities using water-based Magic Draw fabric, telling the story of the day using water-painting which fades soon after. We offer storybooks and air-dry clay for sculpting. We source natural materials like willow for the weaving of mats, baskets, belts, etc., and play imaginatively with loose parts outside.

Lichamelijke activiteit

Kinderen hebben volop mogelijkheden om op een gezonde manier risico's te nemen en te spelen met natuurlijke materialen. We bieden slacklines en hindernisbanen in ninja-stijl aan om het spel te verrijken en behendigheid, evenwicht, enzovoort te bevorderen. We gaan ook wandelen en ondersteunen het bouwen van schuilplaatsen met zeilen, knopen en natuurlijke materialen.

Resting, Dreaming & "Doing Nothing"

We all know the creative magic that happens when we are just 'doing nothing,' especially outside! We furnish students with hammocks, picnic blankets and shelters where they can relax and decompress, daydream and even nap outdoors. We also lead them to start a practice of ‘sit spots’, where one finds a quiet spot to sit and observe the animals, plants, insects, birds, weather, smells, rocks, etc.

Storytelling & Reflection

At the end of each day, we reflect on our experiences to deepen learning, by telling the 'story of the day' through a variety of mediums - this could look like spoken sharing in circle with others, painting, song, dance or poetry. We also practice nature journaling, with unique techniques for building natural literacy and keeping records of our experiences and explorations.
Learn more about our programs...