Forest School
"Nature Pedagogy is an understanding of our sense of belonging to land, our sense of working with nature. There is a pedagogical shift when you move outside into nature... it's learning with nature, not just teaching about it." Claire Warden
Mount Peter Early learning would like to acknowledge the Yidinjdji people who are the traditional custodians of the land on which we will learn and pay respect to the Elders of the Yidin Nation both past and present.
We extend this respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and will actively embed Indigenous ways of learning and teaching into our Forest School program. Forest School is an educational program developed from Danish ideas of working with children and young people in the outdoors, helping to build their self-esteem, social skills and independence. Hands-on activities with natural materials develop practical and lasting life skills which build positive self-awareness and confidence. Forest School uses each child’s individual learning styles and creates an environment to appeal to the kinaesthetic learner.
Forest School helps children become part of an effective and efficient team and to participate in a range of creative, sensory and environmental awareness activities.
Studies show that children are becoming less connected to nature and the outdoors. The same studies demonstrate that contact with nature and the external environment show that children benefit from regular interaction with the environment and form a lasting connection and care for their community (Rosenow 2008).
We believe a Forest School program pushes the boundaries of traditional education and care. Building a strong connection to the natural world a Forest School program can be the conduit to make inroads into the formation of resilient, confident children; enhancing not only their early learning experiences but positively influencing their holistic wellbeing, health, growth and development.
Margaret McMillan