A Forest School is a set of outdoors activities, preferably in a forest or the woods, and which privileges the contact with nature as the ideal setting for children to learn.
This educational model is based on the following premisses:
An educational model is a set of information that guides and sustains an educational practice. These are the premisses that serve as a basis for an educational intervention and which are well-documented and tested.
We say Forest School, in English, because this is the actual name of the educational model, just like Walford, Montessori or MEM regard specific educational models.
Is it because it’s trendy? Nothing like that! This is the official designation. Calling it some other name would be the same as translating Montessori or Walford, if that were possible.
Sure! Preschoolers can attend every day. For infants and toddlers (0-3), we have playgroups where they come accompanied by a carer and once a week, we have afterschool activities for children aged 3 to 12, as well as partnerships with other schools.
During school breaks, we have holiday programmes where children can also attend every day!
Nature-based learning provides a vast amount of scientifically-proven benefits. These are some of the benefits we consider to be most important:
The Forest School approach favours learning processes, the interests of the children and free-range play. The latter is highly valued as a means for true learning, in excellence.
We don't want children to stay seated and learn passively. We want active children, curious children, interested in others and the world around them; children who know how to face hardship and overcome it, with a lasting connection with nature, and who are active participants in their communities!
Yes! Children who are in touch with nature during all seasons, children who are capable of understanding their cycles and specificities, are children who are alert to what is around them, curious and with a deeper environmental conscience.
There are many physical benefits from being outdoors, as mentioned already. Children who are in touch with nature during all seasons, children who are capable of understanding their cycles and specificities, are children who are alert to what is around them, curious and with a deeper environmental conscience. There are many physical benefits from being outdoors, as mentioned already. Besides all this, being outdoors is crucial to strengthen the immune system, as well as not being stuck in a room sharing germs with other children, which is already an incredible benefit in itself!
We believe in science and prevention and we consider that the vaccination plan is a matter of public health and it is essential for all children, so we do believe in vaccination.
Morning snack must be brought from home. Lunch and afternoon snacks can be ordered to a partner company, Sem Espiga, for an additional cost, or come from home, too.
Being outdoors is actually great for their health and we want to put an end to the stigma that we should protect children from the elements. Sunbathing is essential — vitamin D helps regulate the sleep and strengthen the immune system. The rain — as long as they are well equipped — does not have any downsides when it comes to being outdoors. Plus, everything is a lot more fun when puddles and mud are involved! There is also another extraordinary benefit that touches all climate conditions: children abroad in activities that promote physical exercise are fighting against the sedentary lifestyle, which is linked to numerous illnesses (physical and psychological). We could go on and on, but you can also check our scientific basis.
Despite spending a lot of time in nature, they live integrated in society. That won’t change just because they attend Forest School, and that’s a good thing! What they do get from attending Forest School is a set of skills that will allow them to face all the challenges of growing up. For example, moving on to primary school is always a challenge for any child, whether or not the child attended a Forest School. We believe it is the fact that children spend time in this context, the fact that they have gained essential skills that only Forest School can provide them with, that has enabled them to acquire a set of skills at all levels that will provide them with the necessary skills to adapt to new contexts in the best way possible!
Everything! Everything that children have an interest in learning — being the weight of a pinecone or how to climb a tree. This means they are learning basic maths, basic physic or how to use their body. These are all vital throughout their life.
Nature provides them with the best toys there are: rocks, sticks, dirt and leaves. This means that imagination will be the only frontier during play and we all know that imagination is endless! Besides, we believe that we can build whatever we like, be it toys, dens, shelters and anything else our imagination dictates.
Because this learning is focused on the individual and each child's skills and interests, we believe it is not necessary or justifiable to group them by age, because they all have something to learn from each other and age is not a defining factor for the development of each child. It has been proven that it is useful for younger children to learn with older children, but for older children, it is also crucial for their learning to support younger children — the best way to learn is to teach someone.
The professionals involved in this project have various skills and, at the same time, skills that complement each other — from kindergarten education to the certification as Forest School Leaders, as well as specialists in recreation, psychomotor rehabilitation and psychology.
Clothing that is adequate to the season. Basically, whatever they would take to the park. When it's cold and raining, they need to be prepared for it. The good news is, there are loads of alternatives, waterproof gear and wellies for all tastes.
No. Although the educational project includes the Ministry of Education's curriculum guidelines for preschool, we are not considered a formal preschool.
The children are welcomed in the forest from 8:30 and by 9:30, they start their day with a group meeting. This is a time when they plan their day. The activities vary between free play, activities proposed by the children and the adults.
The children have lunch at 12:00 and then there is nap time for those who need it.
Snack time is at 15:00 and play continues until 16:30, at which time we prepare to take the children to the pick-up point, where applicable.
Yes! The only times we use our indoor space are when we need to dry the equipment or in case the weather conditions are not safe (for example, in case of strong winds).
Naps are taken in the woods near the activity area. Each child brings their own sleeping bag, which is placed on top of a tarp. When there is a chance of rain, a shelter is put up. Only on days of very heavy rain or other very adverse weather conditions is napping done indoors.
Activities vary according to the needs and interests of each group. In general, they aim to respond to the integral development of the child, always according to their motivation. Weekly plans are made with everyone's participation. The proposed activities are never mandatory and there is always the possibility to choose other areas of interest, such as climbing trees, motor challenges or mud cooking. The important thing is for the child to be motivated in the activity they are doing. The project area is also developed according to the themes that emerge from the children, challenging their creativity and interest in knowing more.
As this learning is focused on the individual and on the abilities and interests of each one, we feel that it is neither necessary nor justifiable to group them by age, as everyone has something to learn from each other and age is not a definitive factor in each child's development. It has been proven that it is helpful for younger children to learn from older children but that for older children it is also essential for learning that support for younger children - we never learn as well as when we explain it to someone else.
They can be brought from home or ordered from our partners. In Lisbon, meals are provided by Sem Espiga while in Almada and Ericeira, they can be provided by Go Natural for a cost added to the monthly fee.
All the links to the registration forms are available here.
There will be no replacement of holidays or absences of children, nor will there be adjustments to the monthly fee in case of absence of the child.
In the event of the need to cancel activities for reasons not attributable to Escola Lá Fora (extreme weather conditions and / or constraints on the safe development of activities), no refunds or adjustments to the monthly fee will be made.
All sessions start with a large group meeting, when the activities to be carried out in the session are defined. The planning is done in a participatory way and the sessions have continuity. The activities are carried out and vary between proposals made by the adults, by the children and free exploration.
At the end of each session, another group moment is held for reflection and finalization of the session.
All the links to the registration forms are available here.
The activities vary according to the needs and interests of each group. They are activities that aim to respond to the integral development of the child always according to their motivation. The activities can be proposed by children and adults and include the exploration of the environment, the transformation of natural material and motor challenges. Tree climbing and mud kitchen are the most successful activities!
The groups are mixed age, with children from 3-12 years old. Each group has approximately 18 children, accompanied by a Forest School Leader and 2 assistants.
Rain does not prevent the activities from taking place. It is important for all children to have waterproof equipment and shoes, and on these days a tarpaulin is placed as a shelter. We believe it is a positive experience for all children.
Skills and knowledge are acquired that benefit physical, cognitive and emotional development:
There will be no replacement of holidays or absences of children, nor will there be adjustments to the monthly fee in case of absence of the child.
In the event of the need to cancel activities for reasons not attributable to Escola Lá Fora (extreme weather conditions and / or constraints on the safe development of activities), no refunds or adjustments to the monthly fee will be made.
All the links to the registration forms are available here.
Ideally not, as it increases the number of people per group and makes the space more confusing.
Sessions are planned by a Forest School Leader with the support of an assistant.
The aim of the sessions is to offer exploratory and challenging experiences in nature while creating a support network for caregivers.
The session always takes place in the same space of the forest, which is prepared according to the group of babies, always with new challenges and proposals to meet the characteristics and needs of each one.
The exploration is done freely by each baby and at the end of each session there is a group moment, where a story is heard and the session ends.
Caregivers should supervise their babies, taking the opportunity to observe how they explore the world.
We believe that free and autonomous exploration, without excessive guidance, is important for babies to develop in harmony and to get to know the world around them.
They should also take advantage of the sessions to share experiences with adults and clarify doubts or share concerns with the professionals accompanying the sessions.
The groups are composed of about 12 children.
Rain does not prevent the activities from taking place! It is important for all children to have waterproof equipment and shoes, and on those days a tarpaulin is placed as a shelter. We believe it is a positive experience for everyone!
Registration opens about two months before each edition of Holidays Lá Fora.
It is important to register as soon as possible as demand is very high.
Therefore, we advise you to subscribe to the newsletter on the website, so that you can receive the registration form as soon as it becomes available.
If you do not subscribe to the newsletter, the form will be available on the website about two weeks later.
If places are available, you will receive an email with payment details. If places are already sold out, this will be marked on the registration form.
One week before the start of the activity you will receive another email with all the information regarding the material to bring, location and other important topics.
Registration forms for all activities can be found here.
The groups are heterogeneous, composed of children between 3 and 12 years old. Each group has approximately 18 children and is accompanied by a Forest School Leader and two assistants.
Rain does not prevent the activities from taking place. It is important for all children to have waterproof equipment and shoes, and on those days a tarpaulin is put up as a shelter. We believe it is a positive experience for all children.
The activities vary according to the needs and interests of each group. These activities aim to respond to the integral development of the child, always according to their motivation. The planning of the week is done with the active participation of all the elements of the group.
The proposed activities are never mandatory and there is always the possibility to choose other areas of interest, such as climbing trees, working with tools, motor challenges or mud cooking. The important thing is that the child is motivated in the activity they are doing.
Skills and knowledge are acquired that benefit physical, cognitive and emotional development: