3 Insider Forest School Tips For Parents

I’m going to let you parents into 3 of my insider tips.

They are 1) don’t be afraid to play, 2) Remember your toes and 3) Slow Down

1) Don’t be afraid to play

Play is so important to Forest School and not just for the children but the adults too. I love to play alongside the children…and so should you.

This is a great way for you to build connection with your little one, feel young and get in some exercise unknowingly.

It will also help you to break down big ideas into smaller ones for you little one, that will lead to special destinations in the learning adventure. What have you got to loose?

I honestly guarantee nobody will be watching you. I’ll even join in the sketch!
Better still bring your friends who have children and all play together! How incredible will that be, especially after lockdown!

2) Remember your toes!

Your choice of footwear and socks are as important as your childrens!

Don’t you dear think about buying a cheap pair of boots or socks either.

If you want to gain maximum enjoyment from the sessions and have something that will last you a good few years, go that tiny bit more expensive when you buy those items of footwear and you wont regret it I promise.

Plus when being outside becomes you and your families ‘thing’ then you’ll thank me for this tip as you’ll get tonnes of use and enjoyment out of it.
I’m happy to recommend some items if you would like me too.

3) Slow Down.
Nature moves at a slow pace and so should you intentionally do less, including for your child.

That call can wait, that Whats App can wait, your plans for that night can wait.

Just Be in the moment.

Tune into what your child is doing, what the environment is doing, breath in that unbleached air. Have a hot drink, speak to other families.

We have some pretty cool people that come to our sessions with some super interesting stories to hear.

Notice with every blink the beauty around and with a child like quality of noticing the smallest of intricacies.

When adults relax control, kids have space to take the lead and wow us.

The Forest School Leader is there to take over control for you, so you have the luxury of time, space and nature.

I would recommend observing how the leader interacts, approaches and assists your child.

Everything they do is intentional.

Intentionally assisting learning,

intentionally helping play,

intentionally using open questions; questions with more than one answer,

intentionally giving just enough but never to much;

intentionally allowing for the holistic development of your child,

intentionally going with the ideas and with the moment.

All these items can filter into your daily lives as a family and provide space for the development of key life skills.

So there are three insider tips.

I must take this opportunity to remind parents that if you attend alongside your child you will never be asked to pay for your place as an adult.

The only thing you pay for is your child’s place.

Without you, there would be no Eco Ed Forest School so you get to come along for FREE and enjoy everything Forest School beholds

Remember your just one session away…