Internationally the principles of Forest Schools remain
similar to those in the UK however there are some slight differences.
In Denmark, having a curriculum of learning for preschool
became a legal requirement in 2004 and from this, forest school leaders
developed their own principles for learning. These are the following:
To be able – No child should be made to complete a task that
they do not have the skills to complete safely. For example, children who
cannot balance correctly should not climb trees to a great height.
To enjoy – Children should be allowed to enjoy nature and
learn from it. This principle is followed through allowing children necessary
freedoms but also protecting them by bringing them inside during the
particularly harsh weather such as extreme cold.
To experience – It is important for children to be allowed
to explore and experience nature and provide this experience for as many as
possible. For children who reside in built up areas, this principle is
especially important to forest school practitioners.
To understand – Children can use the outdoor setting around
them to further their understanding of the world. For example, one forest
school in Stockholm has provided chickens for their setting which they raised
and later killed to show the children how their meat is gathered. This
understanding is vital for teaching children how important nature is for
survival (Stasiuk, Unknown) .
The Ministry for Children, Education and Gender Equality
also released ‘The Aims of Folkeskole’, in order to guide practitioners in best
practice to lead in forest school. These aims include:
Working with parents to help extend children’s knowledge and
aid them in their journey in education as well as teaching Danish culture and
the importance of the environment around them.
Aid children in their knowledge of social understanding for
example responsibility and their role in Danish society. (Ministry for Children, Education and Gender Equality, 2015)
Original post by
Charlotte
Is the forest school a part of the curriculum in early years in Denmark then?
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon,
DeleteGood question. The Forest School approach is not a requirement of the Danish curriculum. It is however practiced in many Early Years settings throughout Denmark.
Why did the the Danish curriculum make Forest school leaders decide to put their own principles of learning into place? Do they have to be Forest school trained to teach it in Denmark?
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteThere was a list of principles that had to be followed and they decided to put an outdoor learning approach to this in the form of the Firest School. To be a qualified Forest School leader, you have to be Forest School trained as you do in the UK. However, anyone can teach outdoor learning and incorporate aspects of the Forest School approach.