Forest Schools are nature-based, outdoor, child-led educational experiences that were designed in the UK. Children are encouraged to explore the natural world around them, and an emphasis is placed on physical and emotional wellbeing. Teachers are considered to be observers and mentors.
A Forest Days Handbook: Program Design for School Days Outside by
Written by Eliza Minnucci with Meghan Teachout The Forest Days Handbook answers the frequently asked questions about choosing an outdoor classroom space, developing routines, building light infrastructure, and offers narrative examples of what a kindergarten Forest Day might look like. Accompanied by photos of students on their Forest Day, and with a foreword by David Sobel, this book gives a passionate teacher the con?dence to step beyond the schoolyard. Included as an appendix is also a collection of case studies commissioned by AUNE describing three public kindergarten Forest Day programs. Students, teachers, parents and administrators weigh in with their perspectives on the Forest Day movement.
Forest School Adventure by
From essential bushcraft basics and Stone Age skills to joyful outdoor play, Forest School Adventure is packed with ideas to bring your little ones closer to nature and all its magical offerings. The book is divided into four sections--bushcraft, wild food, nature awareness, and games. Learn how to: light a fire without matches build a shelter to sleep in cook on a fire hunt for bugs and much more Young children will be immersed in imaginative, messy play and crafts, while older ones can work on more complex activities like stone tool making and sourcing water. The idea of a forest school--an outdoor program that uses the woods and forests as a means to build independence and self-esteem in children, will result in confidence, bonding, and will bring to life the thrilling reality of sleeping in a cave or savoring your first-ever foraged meal!
Play the Forest School Way by
Woodland games, crafts, and other outdoor adventures from the Forest School-for parents and their children The rise of the grassroots Forest School movement in recent years is part of a groundswell of concern about the wellbeing of our children, with many media scare stories about child obesity, "nature deficit disorder" (as described inLast Child in the Woods), and lack of exposure to risk. This outdoor adventure manual is the antidote! Packed full of ideas, from making nature jewelry and whittling a bow and arrow, to building a shelter and foraging for food, it also celebrates the Forest School philosophy of encouraging self-esteem, confidence, and social skills through engagement with nature. The activities contain variations for varied age groups, small groups like play dates or birthday parties, as well as things to do with just one or two children. Parents are encouraged to guide the play but the activity instructions are written in a simple style with fun illustrations so that kids can take the lead as well.
A Year of Forest School by
More games, crafts and skills Forest School style, building on the success ofPlay the Forest School Way.This book is organized by season to encourage kids to get outdoors come rain, shine or snow! Following on from the bestsellingPlay the Forest School Way,here is a brilliant selection of brand-new games, crafts and activities to get kids developing new skills and exploring the natural world all year round. Structured around the four seasons of the year, each chapter is packed full of step-by-step Forest School games and activities that harmonize with the weather and what's happening in nature at that time of year, with a nod to seasonal festivals such as Easter and Christmas. In spring, for example, you could make a mud birthday cake to celebrate Earth Day on 22 April, or (inspired by bird song) craft sistrums from sticks and bottle tops, or make a clay hare and enjoy dandelion tea and a chocolate egg hunt at a spring day out. At Forest School, children return to the same location again and again, building a lasting connection with a specific part of the natural world, and this book in its year-round approach will bring this aspect of Forest School play to the fore. Each of the four seasonal chapters includes a description of an extended session (combining active and quieter activities plus, for some, an idea for foraging/cooking) to guide Forest School leaders planning themed days and parents looking for party inspiration or nature days out. The Forest School ethos of nature-based play and learning that encourages children to develop confidence, self-esteem and emotional intelligence is exactly what's needed in an era when childhood problems such as obesity and anxiety are on the rise. Woven through the year are stories from the authors' own Forest School classes, as they make a passionate case for the importance of ensuring children's access to nature and the incredible benefits they will gain from being outside, even in the heart of a city.
Preschool Beyond Walls by
Children are spending less time being outside in nature, playing, imagining, and learning about their surroundings. Instead, they're spending more time with tablets, televisions, and overly structured routines. Preschool Beyond Walls shows practical and strategic ways educators can create rich, explorative, and interdisciplinary learning through extensive outdoor experiences. Learn how to develop and implement a nature-based curriculum to support children's optimal learning, from start to finish. Whether you're creating a new curriculum or transitioning from a traditional approach, you will learn how to: Create a program philosophy Infuse nature into all aspects of your program Prepare teachers for a nature-centered approach Implement curriculum and pedagogy that emphasize inquiry-based learning through play and hands-on discovery Maintain high-quality early childhood practices that support children's development