What's Fun in the Forest all about?
At Fun in the Forest we are passionate about getting children into nature and facilitating learning through play. Our sessions include activities that encourage creative thinking, problem solving, self-led discovery and independence - invaluable life skills. And most importantly, our sessions are fantastic fun!
As children love playing and learning in nature, we give them opportunities to explore, learn and discover new things at their own pace. Whether they decide to build a den, make a woodland creature, build a bug city or do anything that emerges from their natural curiosity or imagination, during Fun In The Forest sessions children are encouraged to make independent choices and lead their own learning. We give them the time and space to learn about themselves and the world around them and reconnect with nature through child-led, nature nurtured activities.
We use Forest School approach which helps children develop social skills, problem solving skills, build resilience, develop emotional intelligence and develop self-esteem and self-confidence in a safe and secure natural environment. Our sessions will allow time for social interaction, including opportunities for individual and team work, group reviews and informal play and socialising.
Those working in the education sector will find that Forest School approach is an excellent vehicle for delivering many National Curriculum targets as well as meeting the Outdoor Early Learning standards recommended at the Foundation stage. Forest School approach meets the needs of young children with SEN as it assists them in developing their personal and social qualities within small groups.
Environmental Arts and Crafts
When children are engaged in what they naturally like doing, their work becomes play and that's what drives their creativity. The abundance and richness of resources available in a woodland allows every child to engage in a creative exploration. Regardless of their artistic skills, children will have a go and start making something out of sticks and string, mud, leaves and other natural materials available. Forest School practice places the importance on the creative process rather than the final product. In Fun In The Forest, we encourage every child to freely explore and have fun whilst immersed in their creative work. We want them to feel like inventors.
Tools
Learning about risk and risk assessment plays an important part in Forest School ethos. It assists in building children's confidence, achieving high levels of satisfaction and having fun. Learning about the safe use of tools, whilst developing self-awareness and the awareness of those around us is an integral part of safe Forest School practice. Children learn about natural materials in the woods, how to utilise them sustainably and which materials are best for which purpose. They learn how to collect the materials from the woods and how to cut, cleave and make things from them. We want them to feel like grown ups.
Fire
Fire is colourful and dynamic. Its movement is gentle and soothing. It’s not surprising that fire captures our interest. From a child’s point of view, fire seems the perfect toy: colourful, animated, and responsive. Learning about the safe use of fire is another important part of Forest School practice where children learn about why we have boundaries and how to maintain them. The rewards are extremely high, especially when a tasty meal comes out of the fire pit. It's such a stimulating and enjoyable activity and we want children to enjoy it.
When children are engaged in what they naturally like doing, their work becomes play and that's what drives their creativity. The abundance and richness of resources available in a woodland allows every child to engage in a creative exploration. Regardless of their artistic skills, children will have a go and start making something out of sticks and string, mud, leaves and other natural materials available. Forest School practice places the importance on the creative process rather than the final product. In Fun In The Forest, we encourage every child to freely explore and have fun whilst immersed in their creative work. We want them to feel like inventors.
Tools
Learning about risk and risk assessment plays an important part in Forest School ethos. It assists in building children's confidence, achieving high levels of satisfaction and having fun. Learning about the safe use of tools, whilst developing self-awareness and the awareness of those around us is an integral part of safe Forest School practice. Children learn about natural materials in the woods, how to utilise them sustainably and which materials are best for which purpose. They learn how to collect the materials from the woods and how to cut, cleave and make things from them. We want them to feel like grown ups.
Fire
Fire is colourful and dynamic. Its movement is gentle and soothing. It’s not surprising that fire captures our interest. From a child’s point of view, fire seems the perfect toy: colourful, animated, and responsive. Learning about the safe use of fire is another important part of Forest School practice where children learn about why we have boundaries and how to maintain them. The rewards are extremely high, especially when a tasty meal comes out of the fire pit. It's such a stimulating and enjoyable activity and we want children to enjoy it.