| The ethos of the Forest School resonates in different ways with important historical themes of Western European educational theory: Rousseau, Froebel, Montessori and McMillan all advocated for the benefits of learning in the natural environment and insisted that children need to play, experience space and movement and that sensory stimulation contributes to their healthy development. It also uses newer theories such as Loose parts play which fits well with how children interact with a natural environment. We also recognise that not all schools have access to woodland and green spaces therefore the course will also give innovative ideas on how to engage children from urban backgrounds too. The stimuli, sociomotor learning and the “development” of the brain The different movements of sound outdoors – which change naturally with the wind or variations in air pressure – are an example and it is known that up to six months of age, babies can differentiate sounds much more effectively than adults. Likewise, they are much more receptive to the sounds of birds, for example, and as a result, they love to be outdoors. Light also behaves differently. It is altered by the weather, filtered through the trees and changes throughout the day. Visiting spaces near trees or hanging light fabrics such as organza, for example, from the branches will filter the sun and move the light with touch or wind. The sense of smell and taste can also be stimulated outdoors. Babies on the move make the most of any opportunity to get up and an effective way to encourage this behaviour is to install sturdy low-level pots filled with heavily scented herbs such as lavender or rosemary and colorful summer or edible plants such as strawberries or currants. Touch is another way to awaken an important sense to help babies learn about the world. Outdoors, they can lie on the grass and feel tickled on their skin or experience the differences in texture between hard and soft surfaces. Water is another fascinating element for children due to the sounds that can be created with it and the reflection of light. It’s another opportunity to explore the qualities of materials present in nature, mixing them – and getting dirty! There are also numerous resources – flags, ribbons, natural bamboo spirit scarers… – that support the exploration of the climate and stimulate all the senses. Outdoors, the brain, motivated by the abundance of stimuli, builds new neural pathways – “the development” of the brain – to deal with the large amount of new information it is processing. This increased brain activity supports all areas of development, because when receiving and learning to decode new information, the developing brain also needs to store, use and link it, focusing its activity not only on survival, but on learning. To harness the body’s ability to improve through sensorimotor learning, the brain must have ample opportunity to recognize and understand productive and counterproductive information, based on basic movements. Neurophysiologists have observed that conventional exercises, focusing on muscular exertion, strength, and speed, inhibit the brain’s ability to function properly on behalf of the body, and it becomes impossible for the brain to make the clear sensory distinctions necessary to improve the body’s organization. However, when movements are slow and easy, they activate the movement centers of the brain and generate a flow of valuable information between brain cells. |
Target audience
Pre-school, primary school, people with project for kids
Tuition
25 hours
Objectives
Forest School methodology develop the contact with nature and peers, in a context of exploration and play, in order to develop new neural pathways in the learning process, in a meaningful and pleasurable way. In other words, people use the resources existing in nature (free from predefined conceptions) and interaction with peers to find satisfactory answers to the needs they want to see answered. Thus, they develop socio-emotional, physical, intellectual, communicational and spiritual skills, in a safe and comfortable environment. To promote these skills, it is important to have an experienced facilitator, who knows the methodology and uses the appropriate tools for holistic learning in nature. Main objects are:
- know the key aspects and elements of the Forest School and Outdoor Learning methodological approach;
- The training is organized in such a way that the trainee, when coming into contact with the processes presented in the course, understands the effect and the impact of this methodology, not only in terms of improving their skills as a professional/facilitator, but also in terms of the benefits for children.
- train with work tools and methodologies that allow to streamline activities in your spaces (schools, after school clubs, curricular enrichment activities, forests, gardens, at home,…), either in the context of nature or the outdoors, that are centred on the child´s learning process, making them more aware, more autonomous, creative, confident and able to solve real-life problems!
Methodology
This course is going to use experiential learning, using real situation/activities and experiences in nature. We are focused in the process of each one and not in a specific result. The most important is the openness and embracing of this learning process, in a relaxing and comfortable environment. We are going to share with you our experience and tools to believe that the children need to be the center of learning to succeed.
Content
The Benefits of Outdoor Learning:
- Characterize the theoretical-practical context of the Forest School;
- Stimulate activities to promote socio-emotional, physical and intellectual skills, either individually or in groups, in a natural and/or outdoor context;
- Boost activities that allow the exploration of different types of fine and gross motor skills, such as the construction and handling of different materials and tools;
- Acquire skills to observe and assess the child´s behaviour, at an emotional and cognitive level;
- Introduction to the creative process as a learning tool in formal and informal education.
- Activities and games suited to a nature environment
- The impact of activities on well-being and the appetite to develop knowledge
- How to bring nature into schools
- The role of the facilitator
- How to prepare for a nature session
- How to adapt to adverse weather conditions (sun and rain)
- Using the resources around us to develop learning (activities, structures, research, etc.)
- Suitable clothing and protective equipment
- Learning and development in nature
- Risk assessment and how to mitigate
- Observation and evaluation grids
- Structure of a session according to objectives
- Self-evaluation and the importance of re-evaluating session
Participants
Minimum number: 10 – Max number: 20
Language
English
Dates
29 June- 3 July 2026
Location: Colégio das Caldinhas/INA, Areias – SantoTirso https://colegiodascaldinhas.pt/
Rua das Termas 754 Areias 4780-068 – PORTUGAL
Provider: Aprende na Floresta – OID E10399781 for the Erasmus Beneficiary Module
Cost
450 € plus accomodation at your choices at the Colegio
including: tuition fee, learning materials, organizational costs, certificate of attendance, afternoons free for visiting the area
You can choose one of these accomodation options that include breakfasts and lunches:
Single room from Sunday night to Friday morning– 30€x5gg= 150€ + 55 euros (5 breakfasts and 5 lunches from Monday to Fiday) = 205€
Double room from Sunday night to Friday morning– 20€x5gg= 100€ + 55 euros (5 breakfasts and 5 lunches from Monday to Friday) = –155€ per person
Triple room – from Sunday night to Friday morning– 15 €x5gg= 75€ + 55 euros (5 breakfasts and 5 lunches from Monday to Fiday) = 130€ per person
The course finishes on Friday at 13:00 so that participants can transfer to Porto.
Info and registration
Open for pre-registration: https://forms.gle/ttfPnpuEGbh95UxQA
For more info write to: infosmartedu4all@gmail.com
Go back to the Erasmus page: https://www.smartedu4all.it/explore-erasmus-courses/
IN COOPERATION WITH THE ASSOCIATION in SANTO TIRSO: APRENDE NA FLORESTA
