The HAPPY benefits of FOREST SCHOOL
The Benefits
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Research now backs up what forest school practitioners have known all along – that children and young people are stimulated by the outdoors and typically experience, over time, an increase in their self belief, confidence, learning capacity, enthusiasm, communication and problem-solving skills and emotional well-being.
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Enjoy and achieve
Forest School sets learning in a different context for children where they can undertake a range of practical activities and carry out small achievable tasks. At Forest School children can develop their team working skills and also learn
to become more independent. Those who are unfamiliar with woodlands and green spaces can become confident
in using them and this can form the basis of a life-long relationship with natural spaces.
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Be healthy
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At Forest School children are physically active a lot of the time and their stamina improves as they go through their Forest School sessions. Their experience can also help to lead to the development of healthier lifestyles as children
ask parents to take them on trips to woodlands and green spaces outside of school times. As the children gain confidence and improve their self-esteem this can impact on their emotional and mental well-being.
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Stay safe
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The ‘wild’, and yet controlled, safe environment of Forest School ensures that children taking part naturally learn
to assess risk and are encouraged to make sensible and informed decisions about how to deal with unfamiliar
and unpredictable situations (such as exploring or climbing trees, using tools to build shelters and dens).
Much of the learning for a child comes as a result of the opportunities they have for testing their own abilities
in a real life context.
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Make a positive contribution
Forest School helps children to develop their confidence. As they become familiar with Forest School they can take
their new-found confidence into school and into other areas of their lives. Forest School can be particularly effective
for children who do not settle easily in an indoor learning environment. Children learn to solve problems and be creative
and imaginative at Forest School thus showing enterprising behaviour.
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All of the above information is credited to:
https://www.forestschooltraining.co.uk/forest-school/the-benefits/
