Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-29-2019

Publication Title

International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education

Publisher

North American Association for Environmental Education

Abstract

This narrative review examines the history and future implications of Forest School, a pedagogical approach to early years outdoor education. Forest School is considered a philosophical perspective towards learning outdoors that values holistic development. There are numerous benefits to Forest School and the opportunities that it presents for young children to learn within a natural environment and to engage with nature. Due to the significance of a region’s culture and history, the consideration of education and outdoor learning differs greatly depending on the geographical context. The theory of social constructionism allows for a more precise analysis of Forest School’s history as it developed first in Scandinavia, then in the United Kingdom and North America. Forest School is a relatively new phenomenon within the realm of outdoor education that has taken on unique characteristics unique to the cultural setting. Forest School is becoming popular, yet more research is needed to understand the complexities of standardization and Forest School’s application within distinct cultures.

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.