Play The Forest School Way

The forest school movement is gaining in popularity over the last few years. Forest School is a way to help your child to connect with nature and learn new skills by being adventurous and having fun. This is done with woodland crafts, games and other activities. 

I love the whole idea of forest school and children getting out and learning outdoors. I recently found out that once a month a playgroup will be running on a Saturday morning at a local woods which is suitable for all ages and am tempted to see what the next session in July is like. 

I was recently sent a copy of Play The Forest School Way which will be released on the 16th June RRP £12.99.  It's packed full of ideas for children from the ages of 3 up 11 years old. Some of the ideas in the book are: 

- Nature Jewelry

- constructing a bow and arrow

- building shelter

and 

- Foraging for food. 

The book follows the forest school philosophy of encouraging self-esteem, confidence, risk management and social skills within an outdoor environment. The book is to aid parent's to follow aspects of forest school in the way they handle play sessions. Each of the activities in the book are targeted for different age ranges, for playing in groups and for with just one or two children. The book is written for parents and carers however the instructions are written simply so children can read them too. I love that the book is made robust so that it can withstand outdoor handling. 

Even though Blake is too young for the activities mentioned in this book at the moment I definitely feel it will come in handy for using when he is older but also gives me more knowledge and understanding on the whole forest school concept. 

Have you ever gone to forest school? if not is it something you would be interested in doing?