Forest School

“Forest School is an inspirational process that offers children and young people opportunities to achieve, develop confidence and self esteem, through hands-on learning experiences in a local woodland environment.” Forest School Network.
It was first developed in Sweden. The ethos of a Forest school is to inspire and encourage individuals of any age through absolute experiences and involving themselves in motivating and achievable tasks. Participation in woodland helps young people and children to make a connection and develop respectfulness towards the nature this promoting physical and mental health.
Forest schools in the UK adapted the same norms as the Scandinavian approach towards the Forest School, therefore learning about the outdoor environment all year round and in all weather which is normal.
A study that was done in Sweden which consisted of 13 month period found that children whom were living in areas which was urban were less happy than those children whom are attending Forrest school kindergarten in a countryside environment.
This was due to the fact the children who attended Forest School played for longer amount of time, there are large choices of play in nature, and it observed that children were less likely to get annoyed at each other compared to the children in the city kindergarten. The study showed that children whom live in the city have low concentration level, their stress level rose, and they become annoyed when they're interrupted thus showing aggression. Whereas the Forest School children were more respectful.
The study also observed that children who attended Forest School were less likely to get sick by 25% than the city children, this was due to the outside air which is better than inside air thus preventing the children from becoming exposed to viruses and bacteria. Because of the high level of stress the city children are suffering from its likely to effect their immune system thus weakening to resist infections.
The positive impact of Forest School is that it is relaxing, fun and is set in a natural environment. Because of the amount of freedom they have, these children are more likely to develop stronger social skills, confidence,  concentration level, and high self esteem in their own abilities. After the introduction of Forest Schools, it has developed opportunities for children and adults of all ages in an outdoor setting to mature life skills such as: communication skills, self awareness, independence and altruism. All the individuals who participated in Forest School are likely to gain confidence in their own abilities. Learners whom are kinesthetics are well suited to learn in an outdoor environment.
A recent study shows that those who have Special Educational Needs such as ADD, ADHD, Autism and Asperger's syndrome and are involved in Forest School programmes have a definite good impact on learning and behaviour. Therefore it strengthens the  relationships with the authority figures and other other individuals around them, but in a different situation such as mainstream it would cause stress and anti social behaviour.