Set up in 2012, the forest school association was formed as a result of the evidence of the benefits of the practice in some Scandinavian countries that raising children with nature can be hugely beneficial.
I have been introducing my nanny babies to nature for as long as I can remember. I start the minute they can grasp a leaf!, there is so much a child can learn from simply holding a leaf. You can talk about the colour, size, shape. You can talk about were the leaf had come from, the noise it makes. You can fulfil every sensory need that a small baby has from one simple leaf
As a child grows I love to expand their curious minds with as much information as I can about nature. We take long walks through woods and parks, we build hedgehog houses. We are outside whatever the weather just being with nature.
It’s so important to show a developing child the positives of the world and the magic and wonder of nature
Give your child as many opportunities to explore the outdoors whenever you can.
Keep expanding their knowledge. Introduce bird names, try to decipher bird calls. Teach them about the seasons and how they change the colour of the leaves. Teach them respect. Don’t drop plastic or non biodegradable things on the floor, and explain why!
Teach your child to always be aware of their surroundings and they will never be bored again.
You can even introduce indoor activities OUT doors. Bring baby doll outside for a bath, paint with water on the flags in the driveway. Hunt for “stick man” and take the book with you on your walk.
Or bring the outside in, paint leaves. Collect sticks and make a designated tub for “interesting finds” (this is one of my favourites, the fascinating things children collect!!)
The opportunities are truly endless with children and nature.
Children are naturally thirsty for knowledge. They really do love learning new things, and the best part of it all is it is FREE. It costs nothing to collect leaves or go for a walk.
Nature encourages memory making. A child will always remember the time they found a birds nest in a hedge. They won’t remember that time they sat on a computer and moved a finger over a screen.
If your child enjoys riding a bike, scooter or horse riding. If they love walking, going on adventures and visiting parks think of the exercise they’re getting! That’s alongside the benefits of vitamin D from the sun.
There is endless possibilities for children in the outdoors. So get out there!