At Pine Grove Forest School, children spend four days a week outdoors, embracing the elements—even in the brisk chill of Michigan winters. This unique approach to education emphasizes learning within the natural environment. Students at Pine Grove have the opportunity to breathe fresh air, explore their surroundings, and engage with their peers, fostering a deep connection to the world around them.
While the school is dedicated to preparing kids for kindergarten, it does so in a way that’s different from traditional expectations. In contrast to the typical preschool setting where children often sit at desks, studies show that a mere 8% of their time is spent outdoors. At Pine Grove, removing the confines of a classroom leads to remarkable developmental benefits.
What Exactly is a Forest School?
Forest schools cater primarily to children aged 3 to 6, though some programs may include younger or older kids. The focus is on outdoor exploration and unstructured, child-led learning rather than direct instruction. For example, children might observe the effects of rain on local streams, allowing them to grasp cause and effect naturally. They might even learn to recognize bird calls, enhancing pre-reading skills. As highlighted in various articles, activities like rolling down hills become practical lessons in physics, and children are often encouraged to engage in “risky play,” which can include climbing trees or using tools.
The key aspect of forest schools is their play-based methodology. Instead of memorizing facts or sitting in structured lessons, students learn through hands-on experiences—using pine cones to understand patterns or sticks to develop their fine motor skills. This approach contrasts sharply with the traditional preschool framework that resembles the old kindergarten, which in turn mirrors the early grades.
As an example, my friend Carla, a former preschool teacher, excelled in her structured classroom. She introduced her students to exciting projects, like cultivating beans sent back from NASA for science experiments. The children left her class equipped with foundational literacy and numeracy skills. In a forest school, however, the learning looks very different. Kids can get muddy, forage for berries, and dig in the earth, often poking at animal droppings for fun!
According to the Novak Djokovic Foundation, a respected source on forest schools, these programs are grounded in the belief that every child is unique and valuable. They should face appropriate challenges, experience success regularly, and cultivate positive relationships with themselves and others. Children also have the right to direct their own learning journeys—something that is inherently achievable in an outdoor play-based setting.
What Are the Benefits of Forest Schools?
First and foremost, the advantages of outdoor education are significant. In today’s world, many lament that children spend less time outside. Harvard University affirms that outdoor time is crucial for children’s physical and mental health, providing essential vitamin D, enhancing executive function, and facilitating social interactions. The Child Mind Institute further emphasizes that time spent outside fosters creativity, builds responsibility, reduces stress, and may even aid in managing ADHD.
Forbes reports that outdoor activity can combat obesity, hypertension, and various mental health challenges, from anxiety to stress. It also helps mitigate nearsightedness and can alleviate asthma symptoms. Interestingly, engaging in risky play can teach kids about their limits, potentially reducing injuries later on.
One small study in the UK indicated that after three years in a forest school, disadvantaged children showed notable improvements in reading, writing, and math scores. They were more likely to attend school regularly and demonstrated better self-regulation and resilience.
Accessibility Challenges
However, forest schools do face accessibility issues. They often come with a higher price tag due to lower student-to-staff ratios. Many families find it challenging to balance working hours with a part-time outdoor program. Additionally, there are often costs associated with outdoor gear for young children, which can add up quickly.
Yet, not every child needs to attend a dedicated forest school to reap these benefits. Traditional schools can adopt forest school principles by incorporating outdoor play into their curriculums. Nature-based preschools exist in urban gardens and parks, showing that you don’t need a forest to provide outdoor learning experiences. Even a sunny day in a local green space can offer children the chance to engage with nature while learning in a fun, creative way.
So, when you consider preschool options for your child, reflect on what you want for their learning experience. Would you prefer them to create art with strict instructions or to spend the day immersed in imaginative play with friends? A forest school would advocate for the latter, encouraging children to explore freely rather than conforming to rigid educational structures.
While forest schools may not be accessible to everyone, advocating for more outdoor learning opportunities in traditional settings is a step worth taking. For more insights on related topics, check out our post here.
Summary
Forest schools represent a refreshing shift away from traditional educational frameworks, prioritizing outdoor play and child-led learning. They provide numerous developmental benefits, from fostering creativity and resilience to enhancing academic skills. Though accessibility may be a challenge, integrating outdoor experiences into conventional schooling can bridge the gap. Ultimately, prioritizing outdoor learning is about nurturing a child’s natural curiosity and love for discovery.