Table of Contents
- What Are Forest Schools? (Quick Definition & Principles)
- A Short History: From Scandinavia to the UK & US
- Forest Schools Benefits: What the Evidence Says
- Forest School vs Traditional School: Complementary Roles
- Case Studies: What It Looks Like in Practice
- Challenges & the Future: Access, Affordability, Outcomes
- Parent Takeaway: Bring Forest School Home (Even If School Can’t)
- FAQs
- Internal & External Links (for credibility & next steps)
- CTA: Explore Our Daily Grounding Activities
What Are Forest Schools? (Quick Definition & Principles)
Forest schools are long-term, regular learning sessions in natural settings where children lead exploration through play, supported risk-taking, and hands-on experiences. They’re child-centred and designed to build confidence, self-esteem, and holistic development across seasons—not one-off trips. forestschoolassociation.org
Core principles you’ll see in good forest school programmes
- Frequent, regular sessions in the same outdoor space
- Child-led exploration with supported risk-taking
- Emphasis on holistic growth (physical, social, emotional, cognitive)
- Qualified practitioners who plan, observe, and adapt sessions over time forestschoolassociation.org
A Short History: From Scandinavia to the UK & US
Modern forest school ideas trace to Scandinavia in the 1950s, with Denmark often cited as the birthplace of “forest kindergarten”—community-led outdoor childcare that evolved into formal programmes and quickly inspired neighbouring countries. ERIC+1
From the 1990s onward, the model spread through the UK, where training pathways and national networks emerged, and later to the US, where schools such as Cedarsong popularised fully outdoor early-years programmes based on the German Waldkindergarten tradition. Cedarsong Way+1
Forest Schools Benefits: What the Evidence Says
Cognitive, attention & problem-solving
Syntheses highlighted by the UK’s Forest School Association point to research (e.g., Dr. Ming Kuo’s work) showing improvements in attention span, problem-solving, academic outcomes, and mood when children spend time learning in natural environments. forestschoolassociation.org
Social, emotional & physical development (early years)
UK Forestry Research reviews found gains in confidence, independence, language, motivation, physical stamina/motor skills, and environmental respect among young children attending forest school. Forest Research
Outdoor adventure learning & character outcomes
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) notes that outdoor adventure learning shows positive effects on self-efficacy, motivation, teamwork, and may support academic learning as part of a wider school experience—though the academic evidence base is still developing. EEF
System-level insights from schools
The Natural Connections Demonstration Project (UK) found that while curriculum pressure and cost are concerns, the biggest barriers to outdoor learning are local (teacher confidence and fragmented support). Where supported, schools embedded low-cost practice with outcomes for behaviour, wellbeing, engagement, and character. Natural England+1
Bottom line for ages 3–8: Frequent, playful contact with nature tends to support attention, regulation, social skills, resilience, and physical literacy—the foundations that make classroom learning easier.
Forest School vs Traditional School: Complementary Roles
Forest school isn’t a rejection of classrooms; it complements them.
Forest schools excel at:
- Child-led inquiry: curiosity → questions → investigation
- Extended focus: fewer transitions, more time in deep play
- Risk competence: safe tool use, climbing, fire circle safety
- Whole-child outcomes: confidence, cooperation, resilience
Traditional classrooms excel at:
- Systematic instruction: phonics, numeracy progressions
- Resources: books, manipulatives, specialist support
- Assessment & accountability: tracking attainment
Best practice blends both: use nature for exploration and application, then return indoors for formal practice and reflection.
Case Studies: What It Looks Like in Practice
- Surrey, England — Friends Forest Nursery (Early Years)
Site visits documented a high-quality UK model integrating forest school sessions with early-years curricula; inspectors noted strong outcomes and quality across settings. Institute for Child Success
- Cedarsong, Washington State, USA — Full Outdoor Preschool
Founded in 2007 by Erin Kenny, widely cited as the first US forest kindergarten; the “Cedarsong Way” formalised daily nature immersion with emergent, child-led learning. Cedarsong Way+1
- England & Wales — Multi-site Longitudinal Evaluation
Early UK evaluations reported children’s growing motivation, ability to concentrate, and physical skills after regular forest school participation. Forest Research+1
These examples show varied models—from weekly sessions attached to mainstream schools to fully outdoor kindergartens—all centred on regular, seasonal time outside.
Challenges & the Future: Access, Affordability, Outcomes
Access & equity
- Not all schools have woods or safe green space nearby; travel and staff ratios add cost.
- Community brokerage and local partnerships help unlock nearby outdoor spaces. ResearchGate
Teacher confidence & training
- The single biggest barrier identified is teacher confidence in taking learning outside, compounded by fragmented local support—more CPD and mentoring are key. Natural England
Balancing nature and academic outcomes
- Parents ask about reading and maths: early-years gains in self-regulation, language, and attention often translate to better classroom learning, while the EEF stresses character benefits and a growing, but still mixed, academic evidence base. EEF
Sustainability & policy
- Embedding outdoor learning into whole-school planning (timetables, risk assessments, staff training) protects it from being a “nice-to-have.”
Parent Takeaway: Bring Forest School Home (Even If School Can’t)
Even if your child’s school doesn’t run a full forest school, you can weave outdoor-classroom elements into daily life—and encourage school to do the same.
Small changes schools can make
- Seasonal “sit-spots” for 10 minutes weekly (observe, sketch, share)
- Gardening clubs with quick-win crops (radishes, herbs)
- Maths & literacy outdoors: tally birds, measure sticks, phonics treasure hunts
- Tool skills & safe risk: peel sticks with peelers, build mini-shelters
Small changes families can make
- After-school color hunt (find 5 greens, 3 browns, 1 yellow)
- Weekend micro-adventure (local park loop; bring a nature notebook)
- Bedtime nature story + breath (moon breathing: inhale 4, exhale 6)
Want plug-and-play ideas? Explore our guide: Outdoor Activities That Ground Kids in Nature (internal link).
FAQs
Q1: What age is forest school best for?
Early years (3–8) benefit hugely from play-rich, sensory learning—but the approach scales across primary with age-appropriate tasks. Forest Research
Q2: Is forest school safe?
Yes—programmes follow robust risk-benefit assessments and are led by trained practitioners. Supported risk builds real-world safety skills. forestschoolassociation.org
Q3: Will outdoor time ‘take away’ from academics?
Evidence suggests outdoor learning supports self-efficacy, motivation, teamwork and can sit alongside literacy/numeracy—benefits that often improve classroom learning. EEF
Q4: We live in a city—does this still work?
Absolutely. Schools use courtyards, rooftops, and nearby parks; families can use balconies, window views, and street-tree “adoptions.” ResearchGate
Internal & External Links
Internal links
External links (authority & credibility)
- Forest School Association — What is Forest School? (principles & practice). forestschoolassociation.org
- Forestry Research — Forest Schools impact on young children (UK evidence). Forest Research
- EEF Teaching & Learning Toolkit — Outdoor Adventure Learning (impact & evidence strength). EEF
- Natural Connections (Natural England) — Final report (barriers & system enablers). Natural England+1
- History & context: ERIC paper on Danish forest schools; Cedarsong US history. ERIC+1
Use descriptive anchors (e.g., “Forest School Association principles”) and open external links in a new tab.
Bring Forest School Lessons Home Today
Try one nature-connection ritual after school: a 10-minute sit-spot and quick sketch.
Next, explore our step-by-step ideas in Outdoor Activities That Ground Kids in Nature (cluster page) and build a simple weekly rhythm your child will love.
