Creating a successful forest schools philosophy within your outdoor provision
The evidence to support the importance of play outside is overwhelming and because of this Ofsted is placing more and more emphasis on the outdoor provision. With childcare settings growing and becoming larger and more popular, settings are finding they have less outdoor space with fewer children have free flow access to the outdoor environment. Although many children can access the outdoor space they need on a free flow basis more could be done to ensure children are gaining the crucial skills they need from being outdoors. The outdoor environment allows children to explore and express themselves in different ways and all seven areas of the early year’s foundation stage can be promoted through simple outdoor activities. Often children who are shy, uninterested or misbehave indoors become different children who are highly engaged once outside. Forest schools are becoming more popular across the UK and the main concepts and common activities involving:
- Allowing children to develop in self esteem and confidence
- To learn to manage risks in the outdoor environment safely
- To consider health and safety
- Gain holistic benefits from being around nature
- Develop in all seven areas of the EYFS including physical development and knowledge of the world
- Bug Hunts
- Den Building
- Minibeasts hotels
- Mud Kitchens
- Creating art out of the natural materials
Even if a setting has a limited outdoor provision it is still possible to create a forest school philosophy and promote children’s development in a similar way. Some examples of how to create this are:
- Make the most of what is available in the local community such as woodland areas, forests, parks, fields, etc
- Create wild flower beds or if there is a grassy area try not cutting the grass
- Ensure that before any activity takes place the risks have been assessed by an adult or forest schools leader
- Encourage the children to identify risks and discuss how these will be managed with the children
- Set small achievable tasks in order to build confidence and independence
- Allow the children to explore and discover for themselves
- Forest schools should always be child initiated so follow their lead and their interests
- Use every opportunity to extend learning
- Promote ways of using natural materials safely
Some practitioners are often afraid of making the most of the outdoor provision due to health and safety and parental concerns for example over the cold weather. Some practitioners also do not like to be outside on cold, rainy or even snowy days however the weather greatly changes the outdoor environment and each day offers new learning opportunities. Practitioners should encourage parents to see the benefits of playing outdoors in all weathers and as long as children are dressed for the weather no harm will come to them. Wellies, waterproofs, fleeces, scarves and umbrellas allow children and practitioners to make the most of the outside area and provide all the protection from the weather that’s needed. Read more about enjoying the environment regardless of the weather here.