Many parents turn to Forest School for their children's education. (Image via Square Space)

Forest School is On the Rise

Toska Dhia Andana
Social & Life
Educations
Jun 27, 2019
2635
Parents are now more aware to let their children play outside. Supported by researchers’ studies, it is said that letting them play outdoor will help children to develop their emotional resilience. However, although knowing letting children play outdoor is good for them, many parents are still unsure whether it is safe for their beloved ones. Climbing trees and getting lost are some examples that make parents concern about the idea. Seeing this opportunity, some educators created a forest-themed school and it’s currently on the rise.

Forest School itself is an idea started in 1990s by UK educators who inherited the method from Scandinavian learning system. Today, the Forest School method is being done around the world, and the Forest School Association has more than 1,500 members. Children who went to Forest School are reported to have a better sense of personal, social and environmental responsibility.

However, there are parents who are misunderstood by the concept. They thought that the school would learn outdoor every day of the week, while in fact, Forest School only bring children outdoor 2 or 3 days in a week with varies hours—half or full day. This means, children would spend the rest of the week studying in a classroom, like any other school.

Although Forest School is popular, parents still need to watch out for schools that claim to have the Forest School program. The real Forest School program is the one that bring kids outdoor and teach them how to build a nest in a forest, making bracelets using leaves or making face paint using nettles. A lecturer in primary education at MMU Helen Davenport said that she has seen schools that bring children outside with worksheets and even desks. She argues that those are not what Forest School is all about.

The head teacher of St. Mary’s primary in Stockport Elizabeth Irvin also stated that a head teacher came to her one day. The head teacher said that she did the Forest School just because other schools did it and the photos look good on the website. Therefore, parents should be careful when a school is the using the words ‘Forest School’. Some schools only use it as a marketing, while in fact; it’s not about Forest School at all.

Source: https://japantoday.com/category/crime/76-year-old-woman-stabbed-while-walking-home-suspect-turns-herself-in

ForestSchool , Education , Parents , Children , Outdoor