“Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better.”- Albert Einstein

It was like a breath of fresh air being back in the woods for the beginning of our Spring 2022 season, the eighth season here at Aishling Forest School. Over this past week, learners new and seasoned came together in their home in the woods, to learn more about themselves, each other, and the world around them. We spoke and role-played in regards to self-love, listening to our hearts, and questioned, “How do I show myself love?” The play itself was big, bold, and out loud, with predator vs. prey (socio-dynamic, fantasy play), baking in our mud kitchen (sensory and independent play), and working together to create community mudslides in the rain (cooperative and physical play).

All of this dynamic play, set in a woodland environment is very much by design and a part of child-centered learning. Forest School is an inspirational process that offers all learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning in nature. It’s a specialized learning approach that sits within and compliments the wider context of outdoor and woodland education.

So let’s dig deeper and learn more about Forest School’s educational roots…

I often say that if the Montessori, Steiner, and Outward Bound Movements had a baby- it would be Forest School. The reasoning behind this is due to Aishling’s approach, which draws upon the Scandinavian outdoor model of “friluftsliv (“free open-air life) and the learning and playful child-centered pedagogy of thinkers such as Maria Montessori, Rudolf Steiner and on the nature-based education activities of Kurt Hahn, in addition to the British Scouting and Woodcraft Folk movements. Forest Schools have existed since the 1950s in Scandinavian and other European countries and are continuing to thrive throughout the United States with 300+ US-based schools active today.

And it’s important to know our early childhood and play-based theorists, as they have paved the way for us and have lots of research to back up the work we do. Plus, I could geek out all day writing about early childhood theory and why not share what we love?

To start, let’s begin with the marvelous Maria Montessori:

The Montessori Theory is a method of teaching developed by Maria Montessori where the key principles are:

1. Independence: It is always a goal of Montessori education to make the child independent and able to do things for themselves. This is achieved by giving children opportunities. Opportunities to move, to gear themselves up, to choose what they want to do, and to help mentors with tasks. When the children are able to do things for themselves there is an increase in their self-belief, self-confidence, and esteem that they may carry on throughout their life.
2. Observation: Observation or watching can be easy to do when we understand its importance. This was the simple method of how Maria Montessori has learned about children and developed her theories on child development. She observed without preconceived ideas that helped her develop materials that the children needed and were interested in. Observation is also the way adults can learn about what the child’s needs are. For example, if a learner starts banging on objects, it means that he has a need for that gross motor activity, so let’s give him a hammer and nails. This is how observation can help create harmony, fulfilling the child’s current needs.
3. Following The Child: From what you have observed from our learners, we can then follow them in what they need to do. If they want to climb, we give them the opportunity to climb and are sure not to be overprotective. Following the child also means being non-directive, as to not to tell them what to do. At Forest School, unstructured play means giving the learners the freedom to choose what they want or need to do and to act on their own.
4. Correcting The Child: Children make mistakes and mistakes are important opportunities to learn. They may spill something, bump into a friend unintentionally, and so on. At Forest School, we calmly recognize the mistake of “oh you’ve spilled your food…, why don’t we pick it up and compost what we can.” This is an opportunity to ask the child to do some valid practical work with you and most learners enjoy working alongside adults.
5. Prepared Environment: The prepared environment is an important part of Montessori, as it’s the link for a child to learn from adults. At Forest School, we set up the woods with opportunities to play and create with success and freedom. The environment has to be safe as necessary (not as possible) for the child to explore freely and it also needs to be beautiful and inviting- something Mama Earth does naturally!
6. Absorbent Mind: Montessori observed how children learned language without anyone teaching them. This sparked her idea for the “absorbent mind”, where she discovered that children under the age of three, do not need to have lessons in order to learn, they simply absorb everything in the environment by experiencing it, being part of it. This concept lends itself wonderfully to the knowing that we are a part of nature, rather than apart from her, and have so much to learn simply by being outside.

Next up is Rudolf Steiner:

The Waldorf or Steiner approach to early childhood education is based on the teachings of Rudolf Steiner, an Austrian philosopher who attempted to find a link between science and spirituality. According to his approach, the first seven years are critical in determining the future wellbeing of children as this is when the foundations are laid for later learning and healthy development, including life-long physical, social, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual growth.

To this end, the Steiner approach for this age group prioritizes and promotes:

1. Love: Loving interest in and acceptance of each child. Here at Forest School, we know that each child is born perfect, whole, and complete.
2. Natural Materials: Opportunities for self-initiated play with simple and natural materials. Sticks, anyone?
3. Play: A deep understanding that play makes it possible for young children to digest and understand their experiences.
4. Imitation: Awareness that young children learn through imitation, through the experience of diverse sensory impressions, and through movement. Their natural inclination is to actively explore their physical and social environment. The surroundings offer limits, structure, and protection, as well as the possibility to take risks and meet challenges.
5. Real Experiences: A focus on real rather than virtual experiences to support the child in forming a healthy relationship with the world.
6. Art as Expression: Artistic activities such as storytelling, music, drawing and painting, rhythmic games, and role-modeling foster the healthy development of imagination and creativity.
7. Practical Work: Meaningful practical work such as baking, cooking, gardening, handwork, and domestic activity that provide opportunities to develop unfolding human capacities. Here the emphasis is on the processes of life rather than on learning outcomes. At Forest School, we love working with real tools and making food over an open fire.
8. Time in Nature: Experiences in nature are important and never trivial, as children deeply learn from their environments and should be encouraged to retain a sense of unity or communion with the natural world. A common Aishling saying from nature educator, David Sobel is “How can we expect them to save the planet if they don’t love her first?”
9. Rhythm: Predictable rhythms throughout the day, week, and year that provide security and a sense of the interrelationships and wholeness of life. Seasonal and other festivals are celebrated according to the cultural and geographical surroundings. At Forest School, we love to celebrate St. Martinmas in November and Beltaine in May as we flow with the seasons!

Let’s Talk about Kurt Hahn

Kurt Hahn was an educationalist whose Five Pillars are as relevant today as when he created Outward Bound in 1941, in the midst of the chaos of the second world war. Outward Bound’s mission is to inspire young people to defy their limitations so they become strong, resilient, and curious, ready for the challenges of life.

Hahn’s 5 educational pillars are:

1. Enterprising Curiosity: This is about creativity, resourcefulness, or critical thinking. About being open to learning new things and to question ‘why?’ We should follow questions beyond simple answers, applying and connecting knowledge. One of our favorite Forest School phrases is “I wonder….”
2. Indefatigable Spirit: This literally translates into ‘unable to be fatigued’. Sometimes we’re faced with the unthinkable, things go wrong and we fail. When things don’t quite go to plan it is important to be able to take stock and try again, not internalize the failure and give up. This pillar really gets to the heart of what it means to be resilient.
3. Tenacity in Pursuit: This one is linked to resilience too. It’s about having the grit to follow through and complete a task- even when it’s really hard. It’s more than just sticking to a task, it’s about being diligent, overcoming challenges and self-evaluating. It helps to build confidence and create independent learners.
4. Readiness for Sensible Self-Denial: It is about being aware of ourselves and those around us, communicating effectively to understand each other’s needs and capitalize on each other’s strengths. It is also about self-regulation – being able to focus on long-term goals without succumbing to distractions and therefore controlling our emotions and behaviors.
5. Compassion: This was the most important pillar in Hahn’s opinion. It is about being able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, to see commonality and connection over and above difference. But it also refers to self-compassion – today’s world is so strongly focused on self-doubt and self-criticism, it is important to see your own worth, and develop self-acceptance. Only then can you achieve your full potential.

So there you have it, just a few of Forest School’s educational roots in a nutshell. And as lifelong learners, we’re always discovering new ways to scaffold our learning with help from our greatest teachers…children and nature.