What is Forest School?
The heart of Forest School is bringing children into nature to play, discover, grow and build connections with the land and those around them. Forest School takes place at the same location on a repeated basis for an extended period of time-aiding relationship to place. Learning is supported by a pedagogical framework that is rooted in play and place. The learning is child-led and is guided by the practitioner through inquiry.
Why Forest School?
There are a ton of benefits of Forest School, here is just a few!
Sensory Processing
What each person on the planet does all day everyday is process sensory information.
The more you understand about how someone is processing information around them, the more you're going to understand any kind of behaviour that comes up. There is no separting sensory processing from our behaviour.
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Many children have trouble focusing and engaging in schools because they are not receiving the sensory input needed, or they are dealing with sensory over stimulation.
Children need movement. If a child gets out of their seat often or trys to run around/walk the halls, it is because they are needing movement to engage their senses. Young children seek what they need, and won't seek what they don't need.
Forest School and Sensory Processing
Since Forest School is, well..in the forest..it provides an incredible sensory rich experience as there is something for every one of their senses to take in. It provides the space and environment where kids can run, skip, jump in puddles, climb tress, dig, pull and push natural objects, and much more.
Benefits at Nurture the Nature Forest School for Sensory
Not only are we outdoors, but we have an Ontario Certified Teacher and an Occupational Therapist to develop programs/activities together alongside other professionals on the team. This is to ensure we provide the best experience for your child(ren) and meet each of their needs.
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Connection to Nature
With children spending more time in nature, they have a chance to connect with nature. When children connect with nature from a young age, or any age, not only does this benefit the child in so many ways but it benefits the environment as well. It instills a love of nature, nurturing them to grow into future environmental stewards.