Forest School offers unique learning opportunity

A young child zooms through the air on a rope swing, another crouches down for a closer look at some prints recently left by a small animal, while a third clutches a hammer in both hands, intent on building a bench. 

These are the scenes one might witness during Kailey Edgelow's outdoor education class.  Edgelow is a physical education coordinator and manages a full-time Forest School program for Kindergarten students with the Edmonton Catholic School District.

For those unfamiliar with the model, Forest Schools offer a chance to connect nature with education by taking the children out of the classroom.

"The principle belief is that authentic learning can happen in an outdoor environment just as it would in a traditional classroom, and perhaps be even more valuable," explains  Edgelow, who is currently enrolled in the outdoor education cohort of the Master of Education program at the Werklund School of Education.  

A Forest School with a difference

The concept has been put into practice for decades throughout the world but Edgelow says that the program she runs is unique in that it is a field trip opportunity available to all the full-day Kindergarten classes in the school district.

"Each class has the chance to come out to a River Valley spot for a week. Each day the students arrive by bus first thing in the morning and are typically outside in the forest for the duration of the school day."

Students are provided with learning tools such as pots, pans or muffin tins as well as shovels for digging and creating. The children write or draw in journals that are theirs to keep and have access to guide books and binoculars to aid in animal observation.

But Edgelow views these instruments as secondary in importance when it comes to learning.  "The environment is usually the most engaging thing for the students to use in our Forest School."

While some may view these activities as merely play or being limited to physical education, Edgelow has come to understand that outdoor experiences provide cross-curricular learning opportunities.

"All aspects of curriculum find a way to come alive in the forest, whether it's literacy in the form of live action versions of Little Red Riding Hood, the numeracy in finding patterns and shapes in the trees, the science side of taking a closer look at the ecosystems of the River Valley, or the physical aspects of tree and boulder climbing. Curriculum truly comes alive in the forest."

Nature and well-being

Canoe trips with her father helped Edgelow develop her love of nature at an early age, and she says that as an adult, getting outside brings a sense of calmness to her day.  This connection between nature and mental health has made itself evident to Edgelow during her five years of teaching.

"I have seen students who typically have behavioural challenges in a classroom, or deal with ADHD, anxiety, or any number of other difficulties that make it a struggle to stay focused, have a very successful response to the outdoors. I think the outdoors is incredibly valuable for all students, but can be particularly impactful as an alternative environment for students who have those challenging behaviours."

Intent on helping students with learning challenges, Edgelow will next enroll in the Supporting and Enhancing Children's Mental Health program at the Werklund School.

The insight gained will no doubt be a great benefit to Edgelow's future students during their nature explorations.