Forest schooling is an outdoor education approach where children engage in regular, hands-on learning sessions in natural woodland settings, developing confidence, resilience, and academic skills through nature-based exploration.
What is Forest Schooling?
Forest schooling is an inspirational educational process that takes learning outside—literally. Rather than occasional field trips, forest school involves consistent, long-term engagement with natural woodland environments as the primary classroom. Children explore, build, observe wildlife, and learn through hands-on activities guided by the rhythms of nature. Originating in Scandinavia during the 1950s and formalized in the UK in 1993, forest schooling has spread globally as families recognize the profound benefits of regular outdoor immersion for child development.
Key Takeaways
- Originated in Denmark in the 1950s, rooted in the Scandinavian concept of friluftsliv (open-air living)
- Involves regular, consistent sessions—not just occasional nature walks
- Child-led exploration balanced with guided learning from trained practitioners
- Research shows doubled activity levels and improved social-emotional development
- Can be implemented in local parks, woodland areas, or backyard nature spaces
Core Principles of Forest Schooling
The Forest School Association identifies six foundational principles: long-term regular sessions rather than one-off experiences; woodland or natural settings that foster connection with nature; learner-centered and child-led exploration; holistic development encompassing physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth; supported risk-taking in safe environments; and guidance from qualified practitioners. These principles distinguish genuine forest schooling from general outdoor play. The emphasis on consistency matters—regular sessions create deepening relationships with specific natural spaces that sporadic visits simply can't replicate.
Research-Backed Benefits
Studies consistently demonstrate measurable advantages for forest school participants. Children show activity levels twice as high as in traditional indoor settings, with corresponding improvements in strength, coordination, and concentration. Research on disadvantaged children following three years of weekly forest school sessions showed improved self-regulation, resilience, and academic attainment. Perhaps most compelling for homeschool families: forest schooling has proven particularly beneficial for children with ADHD (supported by Attention Restoration Theory) and those on the autism spectrum.
How Homeschoolers Implement It
Homeschool families incorporate forest schooling through various approaches. Some join established forest school programs or co-ops; others create their own regular outdoor sessions at nearby parks, nature preserves, or woodland areas. A typical homeschool implementation combines "Focused Forest Time" (guided nature study, skill-building activities) with "Free Range Forest Time" (child-led exploration and play). Popular supporting curricula include Wild Learning, Blossom & Root, and Oak Meadow. The key is consistency—commit to regular outdoor sessions regardless of weather, following the forest school motto: "There's no bad weather, only bad clothing."
The Bottom Line
Forest schooling offers homeschoolers a research-supported framework for learning that most conventional schools simply can't match. Regular nature immersion develops physical skills, emotional resilience, and academic capabilities simultaneously. For families feeling tethered to indoor curricula, forest schooling provides permission to step outside and trust that genuine learning happens through exploration. Start with what's accessible—your backyard, a local park, a nearby trail—and build consistency over time.
