The Forest Explorers
Name: Harriet Smith
Age: 21 Occupation: Teaching Assistant in Reception and Year 3 As a qualified practitioner at Level 4, forest school has been experienced at a previous setting where every session was as enjoyable as the last. In each session children were able to achieve a range of developmental milestones and enjoy the outdoors, especially when there was opportunities to make bird feeds and a scarecrow whilst the forest school area was being developed. However, in current practice there is no forest school developed because there isn't a member of staff that is trained in the approach. Instead the setting does have an outdoor area that the children are allowed to use with a story-telling chair, bug hut, pond and tee-pee for children to use and build upon. Whilst completing this module it is hoped that knowledge of forest school will be developed, in the hope of bringing this concept into the setting in order for the children to do more learning outdoors. Name: Jessica Berry Age: 19 Occupation: Early Years Practitioner I have wanted to pursue a career working with children for years and am truly passionate about working with children within the Early Years sector. Studying a university degree in this area is an incredible opportunity and I am loving every minute of it. I am presently in my second year and have met some amazing people along the way. I am hoping to continue on to my PGCE in order to qualify as either a Primary School or Early Years Teacher, which is my goal. I am interested in all aspects of children's development, taking what I learn into work and adapting the knowledge I have gained. Forest Schools have become very popular in recent years, with current research identifying the benefits and highlighting the high level of children's engagement with the learning and exploring that is taking place. I began this module not being a very "outdoorsy person", but since learning more about the approach and spending a study weekend experiencing forest school from a child's perspective and researching the topic, I have become very positive about the approach. This has inspired me to want to start building a forest school within the setting I am working in. Name: Kirsty Taylor Age: 25 Occupation: Early Years Practitioner Currently working in a day nursery with children aged up to 5, I have experienced working in a Forest School in a previous setting. I am looking forward to getting back to nature, learning more about the principles of Forest School and hopefully introducing more children to the excitement of Forest School in the future. Working on this blog has introduced me to the benefits of outdoor play for young children as well as how Forest Schools were first developed before being brought to English settings. Name: Leanne Painter Age: 31 Occupation: Early Years Practitioner As a newly qualified Early Years Practitioner with only a year's experience, opportunities to gain knowledge in Forest School have been limited. However, opportunities have been provided by working collaboratively with the school next to the setting in which a trained Forest School Teacher regularly takes the children. This has enabled first hand observations to be made on the role Forest School has on children's development. Other personal experiences of Forest School include many fond childhood memories of playing outside in the woods, which provided personal, significant importance to childhood and also many opportunities of learning. Whilst completing this module it is hoped that a better understanding of Forest School is obtained, whilst learning about the possible learning outcomes it provides for children. Name: Rebecca Gardiner Age: 19 Occupation: Early Years Practitioner Currently, my placement is at Abbeymead Primary School where I have been working for the past year. Although I haven't been working in Early Years for very long, I feel I have gained a lot of knowledge and my passion in this area has grown. Due to not having a lot of experience in Early Years compared to others, Forest School has not yet been experienced. However, from research and a previous study weekend, I am excited to explore this area more and to experience it with the children in my setting for the first time, where they are able to learn new skills and knowledge. By working on this blog, it has shown me how important it is for children to play and experience the outdoors, especially for their development and I can't wait to see this in my setting. Name: Theresa Spencer Age: 40 Occupation: Senior Early Years Practitioner As an Early Years Practitioner who is passionate, with regard to child development in relation to outdoor learning, it is hoped that this assignment may further extend current knowledge. Working as a group, research will be carried out and implemented within this Forest School blog, in hope to enable further understanding which subsequently may be implemented within the setting. Currently, due to the setting where I work being a new venture, Forest School provision can only be accessed via the school site. Together with experience, research and knowledge gained, it is hoped that the setting may eventually develop its own site. |
AuthorFrom Left to Right: Kirsty, Becky, Jess, Harriet, Theresa and Leanne. ArchivesCategories |