Forest School
What Is Forest and Nature School?
We define Forest and Nature School as an education ethos and practice that puts nature and the child at play at the centre of learning. Children and educators build a relationship with the land through regular and repeated access to the same natural space over an extended period of time. (Child and Nature Alliance Canada, 2018). We meet students at their level to work with them to plan and execute projects designed to answer questions or address a problem.
Wise Kids Academy Forest School programs are designed to connect children to nature, child-led and our curriculum is developed by observing child’s play – when themes emerge we use inquiry-based learning to develop knowledge or solutions. The children are encouraged to interact with nature with all their senses, to develop socially, to build curiosities about the world around them, to find calm, to be physically active, to be stewards of the land and to be in nature in safe and age-appropriate ways.
Our Goals in Nature
Keeping your child safe, while giving them the freedom to explore and engage with their environment
Fostering the natural curiosity and sense of wonder about the world around them
Leading them to be independent individuals who think critically, take assessed risks, ask questions, seek answers, and appreciate Nature.
Risk Management
Risk - the experience and management of it - is an inherent and integral part of Forest School practice and play, and indeed of healthy child development. WISE KIDS ACADEMY educators endeavor to co-assess and co-manage risk with participants. We believe this to be an essential skill for children to acquire and for adults to support.
Children in all our programs have opportunities to participate in safe risky play. Educators help students to assess and manage risks. Children are permitted to engage with their environment and keep themselves safe. For example, students may carry sticks, climb trees, use a slingshot, whittle with sharp tools, and at our Forest and Nature locations!
Our educators conduct seasonal and daily site risk assessments, as well as activity risk assessments and individual risk assessments on an ongoing basis
All our staff are CPR certified, and consistently take surveys of the area for safety concerns to help manage risks.
Before participation all children, volunteers and educators are required to sign the Assumption of Risk Informed Consent document.
What Motivates Us
Source: Google Maps
Jasper Jo
Although I am a passionate parent, it is hard to play outside even on snowy and rainy days. However, the Wisekids Academy’s toddlers can experience valuable outdoor activities in the forest program. That’s why we chose this preschool for my kids’ balanced development. Teachers are more dedicated to children and embrace them with love. Moreover, kids can eat delicious and nutritious lunches every day. How blessed are preschoolers with Wisekids Academy!
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