Billericay Community Garden hosts weekly Family Forest School sessions. They are extremely popular and have an amazing impact on young children. Children develop their understanding of nature, improve their confidence, self-esteem and communication skills whilst being healthy and active. Free sessions mean that families can attend irrespective of financial circumstance.
What we'll deliver:
- Forest School resources
- Forest School staffing
Why it's a great idea:
Forest School gets children outside into a natural environment and focusses on connecting children with nature. It impacts significantly on self-esteem, communication, confidence, physical health, mental and emotional well-being as well as children's capability to assess risk. At the sessions children and their parents and carers are given opportunities to learn new skills, use tools, play at the mud kitchen, forage and carry out nature hunts, light and maintain fires safely, learn about the process of growing fruit and vegetables and make new friends.
The sessions run weekly (term-time and school holidays) which allows children of a range of ages to attend. They are led by a qualified Forest School leader who is supported by an experienced early years practitioner. Running the sessions ensures their inclusivity and allows families and childcare providers to attend irrespective of financial circumstance.
Steps to get it done:
- Renew Forest School provision
In the current climate of stress and pressure on our young children coupled with the constant increase in the use of technology and 'screen time' these sessions have never been more needed.
