The most special learning happens when children can explore and discover things for themselves. In my Foundation 1 class, Forest School at International Sharing School – Taguspark gives them this chance. It is not about ticking boxes or following a strict plan; it’s about curiosity, play, and learning through experience.
Play at the Heart of Forest School
Play is at the heart of everything. It allows children to follow their interests, try new things, and make sense of the world at their own pace.
During our Forest School sessions, the children have explored a music wall made from instruments and metal objects on a pallet, splashed and jumped in puddles after a rainy day, played with soil, sticks, and leaves, and even painted with spices in the forest.
Watching them get completely absorbed in these activities, seeing their excitement and imagination unfold, is incredible.
Following Children’s Interests
One of the things I love most is how sessions rarely go the way I expect. I might have an idea or bring some materials, but often the children’s curiosity leads us somewhere completely different.
They might spot a tiny insect, a piece of fungi, or an interesting leaf, and suddenly everyone is focused on that discovery. Following their interests like this feels so natural, and it’s amazing to see how much they learn when they are truly engaged and motivated.
Growing Confidence, Empathy, and Joy
Even though they are so young, the children at ISS Taguspark are learning social skills and empathy. They cooperate, share, and begin to understand each other while exploring the space.
Forest School helps them not only understand the world around them, but also themselves, their feelings, abilities, and confidence grow with every session. Learning outside the classroom might look simple, but its effects are huge.
Every puddle they splash in, every leaf they examine, and every imaginative moment adds to their development in ways that are hard to capture in a traditional classroom.
Watching them play, explore, and discover reminds me why I believe so strongly in the power of nature and play to inspire curiosity, resilience, and joy in learning.
