More about holistic development

Holistic development links in with the Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills that we use at school - PLTS.

• Reflective learners
• Self-managers
• Independent Enquirers
• Creative Thinkers
• Team Workers
• Effective Participators

Forest School fosters resilient learners through providing opportunities that are the right size of challenge: the next small step – allowing the child to achieve it but not carry it out easily. Providing enough confidence to have a go at doing it but if initially unsuccessful, not too much of a challenge to then give up. These small steps of achievable tasks are crucial in developing their experience at Forest School, where they are free to have a go without worrying about a test at the end. The nature of learning is all exploratory and there is no right or wrong, just trying to improve themselves and reflecting on their learning and thinking about what they could do differently next time. At the end of a session and the task of returning the woodland back to how it was at the start of the session also allows children to be able to move on with their learning and understand that nothing is permanent.

In addition to becoming more resilient at Forest School, children are also becoming more confident through being immersed in the outdoor environment and learning new skills and gaining new knowledge about the natural environment; whether this be how to safely use a bow saw with a partner, or being able to recognize and name a tree by looking at the bark and buds on a winter twig. They are developing trust with one another and confidence in their own abilities and ultimately developing a growth mindset.

I have previously explored the benefits are developing a Growth Mindset in learners and do so in all my teaching, so this makes complete sense to me.

The structure of Forest School being child-led allows children to develop as independent learners. Giving them the freedom to be creative and explore and make connections with their understanding themselves and through positive questioning by the facilitator fosters independence. Partnered-up with creativity and exploration through the imagination and play this is really powerful. Showing the children that they can have a go and explore and be independent and you are still learning and giving them the freedom allows them to excel without having a cap on their expectations.