It's often said that Forest School isn't about achieving particular outcomes... but this isn't entirely true.  

It may not solely be about achieving particular academic outcomes, but we're still doing it with some sort of intention. Obviously it still has a purpose. In delivering it, we are seeking to achieve something! So what is that something? Or shall I say somethings?  

Want to read the blog post while you listen? Head to.... https://www.forestschooled.com/post/2017/09/17/What-is-Forest-School-for-A-purpose-viewed-through-many-lenses

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Original music by Robby Miller

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“The extent of risk depends in part on how competent a person is in dealing with the hazard; it is a function of how a person 'sees' or 'feels' a situation and combines both environmental and human factors... Thus, risk may be different for each individual even though the measured risks may be identical in size.” - Bob Sharp (2004), Risk in Outdoor Education.  

This podcast explores how using tools and making fires with children as young as 4 have changed my perception of 'danger' and 'risk'!  

Want to read the blog post while you listen? Head to.... https://www.forestschooled.com/post/2017/11/29/How-perceptions-of-danger-can-change-after-making-fire-with-four-year-olds

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Original music by Robby Miller

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I like to think of outdoor cooking as playing. It's a type of play that involves risk as well as the opportunity for a whole lot of learning! This podcast explore this and gives a few ideas for cooking projects. I also encourage people to share some of their great ideas and success stories with outdoor cooking too :)  

Pinterest board with ideas for outdoor cooking: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/forestschooled/campfire-cooking-for-forest-school/  

Want to read the blog post while you listen? Head to.... https://www.forestschooled.com/post/2017/10/21/Fire-and-Food-Playing-with-Outdoor-Cooking  

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Original music by Robby Miller

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Sometimes we might say something like, "This is not a democracy," when children try to argue with us about a decision we've made. Is childhood really not a democracy? Should it be?  

Want to read the blog post while you listen? Head to.... https://www.forestschooled.com/post/2017/10/07/Childhood-is-not-a-democracy

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Original music by Robby Miller

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“A noisy and squirmy group of around 60 children would transform into a still and silent hush of eager eyes pointed directly at the storyteller as he or she began to speak. It felt like magic - like somebody had cast a spell over everyone listening.”   

This is a talent I wish I had (maybe someday will develop?) and I share my mishaps with trying! Tell me about your adventures with storytelling and if you have any tips :)  

Pinterest board with resources for storytelling: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/forestschooled/storytelling-for-forest-school/

Want to read the blog post while you listen? Head to.... https://www.forestschooled.com/post/2017/09/24/The-magic-of-storytelling

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Original music by Robby Miller

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I thought I'd try to paint a picture (to speak figuratively, not literally!) of what it is that we do and why at Forest School. This is what I came up with based on real experiences I've had spending once a week for a year with a group at Forest School...  

Want to read the blog post while you listen? Head to.... https://www.forestschooled.com/post/2017/09/02/Why-Forest-School

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Original music by Robby Miller

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Being able to sit still and listen are good qualities. They require the ability to focus, to engage self-control, and also provide the opportunity to learn from another person who's sharing their experience and knowledge. So, even though 'sitting still and listening' are skills that many children struggle with, it seems a good idea to help them develop those qualities throughout their education. Or is it?

Want to read the blog post while you listen? Head to....  https://www.forestschooled.com/post/2017/08/26/a-learning-environment-where-the-kids-who-cant-sit-still-succeed

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Original music by Robby Miller

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Emotional intelligence is a powerful tool when it comes to navigating personal relationships. Our emotions have a significant impact on our behaviour, therefore making it extremely beneficial to understand them and learn how to respond and deal with them in ways that help us maintain positive relationships with others.  

This podcast explores how to encourage emotional intelligence as a part of the learning process.  

Want to read the blog post while you listen? 

Head to....  https://www.forestschooled.com/post/2017/08/13/Encouraging-Emotional-Intelligence

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Original music by Robby Miller

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Learning practical skills can help build confidence as a person starts to feel more self-reliant. That's why learning 'survival skills' like knots and lashings can give a great boost to self-esteem. This post talks about how we used a Survival Challenge as a way to get some teens motivated to try new things and how surprised I was by how they seemed to take more away from it than I first thought!  

Want to read the blog post while you listen? Head to....  https://www.forestschooled.com/post/2017/07/30/Knots-and-lashings-Learning-practical-skills

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Original music by Robby Miller

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Been thinking a bit deeper about the 'long-term' aspect of Forest School and what that really means...  

"There are many benefits of Forest School being a long term programme... but a question I've been exploring lately is, how important is it for the location and the individuals within a group of participants to remain the same over that long-term period?"  

Want to read the blog post while you listen? Head to....  https://www.forestschooled.com/post/2017/07/23/the-forest-school-formula-exploring-what-long-term-really-means

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Original music by Robby Miller

https://www.robbymillerguitarist.com