Forest School at Buttercups

What is Forest School?

Forest School is all about enjoying learning in the great outdoors. With this revolutionary Scandinavian approach children spend the whole day outside surrounded by bushes, shrubs and trees. Here, normal activities like eating and playing become incredible adventures. Even boring midday naps become exciting camping experiences.

Forest School is a child-centred environment giving children greater freedom to explore and choose their activities.

Forest School runs every day at Chalfont Park, Chiswick Lane and Syon Park and weekly at Chiswick and Isleworth.

Benefits:

Physical development - climbing, balancing and crawling through bushes  encourages better development of gross and fine motor skills creating a more balanced and fitter child;

Active learning builds inquisitiveness and curiosity about the world around them and develops creativity and imagination;

Managed risk - children make their own decisions helping to produce more confident individuals;

Less stress - children who spend too much time inside display higher levels of depression, anger and tension. The freedom of the outdoor environment can be very calming for children;

Plenty of fresh air and vitamin D - vitamin D helps us to absorb calcium resulting in stronger bones;

Improved eyesight - Artificial lighting, particularly from mobile phones and televisions, is harmful to our eyes, especially young eyes. Studies show, that children who spend more time outdoors are less likely to develop myopia (nearsightedness);

Better social skills - playing outdoors encourages children to interact with other children, building their social development and the ability to make friends;

A respect for the natural world and a future supporter of conservation.