Co-operate as part of a team teaches child to be aware of others
Improve language and communication skills
Improve relationship with and understanding of the outdoors
Enhance numeracy and literacy skills
Changes in self-esteem and confidence
Improve physical skills
Increase motivation for learning and improve concentration
The research indicates two further outcomes that have a wider impact on formal learning. Firstly, a different relationship can develop between teachers/early years practitioners and children as the former see the child in a different setting and coping with some of the same challenges that they as adults face outdoors. Thus adults gain the opportunity to become more reflective practitioners. Secondly, children often bring the experience home with the result those parents’ and families’ attitudes to being outdoors, to out of school routines and to perceptions of risk can change. The Irish Forest School Association strongly advocates the publishing of Irish research to promote the concept of Forest School learning.
