The Forest School Podcast

Summary: In this episode, we explore the purpose of Forest School as a space for children to engage in free play, build social connections, and experience the joy of childhood without the pressures of traditional, outcome-driven education. Discover why Forest School stands as a community resource, supports mental health, and challenges the idea of “resume-building” for children. Episode Highlights...

Summary In this episode, Lewis explores the biases surrounding verbal and nonverbal communication within the context of forest school training. He discusses the importance of recognizing and addressing these biases to create a more inclusive environment for participants. The conversation delves into various aspects of communication, including play cues, emotional expressions, and the impact of ver...

Summary: In this episode of The Forest School Podcast , host Lewis Ames sits down with Laura Henry-Allain MBE, author, consultant, and creator of the beloved children’s show Jojo & Gran Gran . They explore the importance of representation in early years education, how to create inclusive learning environments, and why conversations about diversity should start early. Laura shares practical adv...

In this enlightening conversation, Lewis Ames is joined by Kirk Martin from the Calm Parenting Podcast to delve into the powerful tool of scripting in parenting—especially when dealing with strong-willed children. They explore how pre-planned scripts can offer parents practical phrases to navigate emotionally charged situations, while helping kids feel understood and secure. The episode emphasizes...

Episode Summary : In this episode, we chat with Kendra McWilliam about making Forest School accessible to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Kendra shares her insights on adapting sessions for diverse needs, running intergenerational projects, and securing funding for community-driven outdoor projects. You’ll learn actionable strategies to transform YOUR sessions into more inclusive a...

Summary In this episode of the Forest School Podcast, Lewis discusses various aspects of outdoor education, focusing on cooking, bushcraft skills, and the importance of continuous learning. He shares insights from his books, 'Forest School Cooking' and 'The Myths of Outdoor Play and Learning', and offers practical tips for engaging children in outdoor play, especially during winter. The conversati...

Have you ever wondered what small changes could make a huge impact in your mud kitchen setup? In this episode, Lewis and Wem dive into their quirky, practical, and unconventional tips for transforming your mud kitchen into a space of creativity, independence, and fun! Timestamps: [00:02] – Jangly energy and funny rain stories. [03:00] – Talking about animals in messy homes: humor in parenting. [05...

Do traditional school structures harm neurodivergent students? Can nature-based learning be the solution? In this episode, we dive deep into how Forest Schools can create more inclusive environments for neurodivergent learners. Our guest shares groundbreaking research on the benefits of nature for autistic students, challenges the romanticization of outdoor spaces, and discusses how autonomy, trus...

Are we doing our children a disservice by always saying "yes"? In this thought-provoking episode of The Forest School Podcast, hosts Lewis and Wem dive deep into the complexities of creating a balanced learning environment in outdoor education. They explore the concept of a "yes environment" and its potential pitfalls, drawing inspiration from Suzanne Axelson's work. But wh...

Support the podcast at www.patreon.om/theforestschoolpodcast Can Forest Schools deliver on their promises in urban environments? Guest Info: https://emmabrockes.com/ Join hosts Lewis Ames and Wem Southerden as they dive into a thought-provoking conversation with journalist Emma Brockes about her recent Guardian article on Forest Schools. Explore the challenges of implementing authentic outdoor edu...

Support the podcast, get in touch and find more episodes at www.theforestschoolpodcast.com Summary In this episode of The Forest School Podcast, Lewis Ames explores the fascinating world of owls. He shares interesting facts about owl sizes, adaptability, legs, silent flight, vision, hearing, vocalizations, intelligence, family dynamics, hunting behaviors, diets, and conservation challenges. Owls p...

What if the great outdoors was your ultimate fitness playground? Join hosts Lewis Ames and Wem Southerden as they explore the world of outdoor movement and fitness with Andrew and Gill from Wild Strong. Discover how reconnecting with nature can transform our approach to exercise, build community, and challenge traditional fitness norms. This episode is packed with insights for educators, parents,...

Join hosts Lewis Ames and Wem Southerden as they explore the fascinating world of "muddy memories" in outdoor education. Discover how these not-quite-accurate recollections might play a crucial role in fostering deep connections with nature. Learn practical strategies for educators and parents to navigate and nurture these magical moments. For more thought-provoking discussions on outdoo...

How can we foster a truly non-judgmental environment in Forest School without compromising on safety and boundaries? Description: Join Lewis and Wem as they dive deep into the complexities of creating and maintaining non-judgmental spaces in Forest School settings. From handling personal biases to addressing challenging behaviors, this episode explores the delicate balance between acceptance and s...

Join Lewis and Wem as they explore the challenges and strategies of facilitating adult relationships in forest school settings. From icebreaker questions to creating non-judgmental spaces, this episode dives into the complexities of fostering community among grown-ups in nature-based education. Chapter Titles and Timing: Potato-Based Introductions (00:01 - 05:02) The Art of Icebreaker Questions (0...

Support the podcast and get bonus content today at www.patreon.com/theforestschoolpodcast Find part 2 at  https://www.wildlingsforestschool.com/raisingwildlings And give them a follow on their socials:-  https://www.facebook.com/share/317yVGUXFPSJPwTb/ -  https://www.instagram.com/wildlings_forestschool?igsh=MTlxeDN6ZnVzdXFudw== In this episode, The Forest School Podcast collaborates with Nicky Fa...

Support The Forest School Podcast on Patreon for bonus episodes and ad-free episodes at ⁠ www.patreon.com/th eforestschoolpodcast ⁠ 🌲🎧. Leave this episode a review on your podcast player! Find out about our sessions and Forest School Leader Training in Devon, UK at www.children-of-the-forest.com Summary In this conversation, Wem and Lewis discuss the concept of encouragement and its potential ne...

Support The Forest School Podcast on Patreon for bonus episodes and ad-free episodes at ⁠ www.patreon.com/theforestschoolpodcast⁠ 🌲🎧. Leave this episode a review on your podcast player! Find out about our sessions and Forest School Leader Training in Devon, UK at www.children-of-the-forest.com Summary In this conversation, Lewis and Wem discuss the dynamics of play and ownership in a Forest Scho...

Support The Forest School Podcast on Patreon for bonus episodes and ad-free episodes at ⁠ www.patreon.com/th eforestschoolpodcast ⁠ 🌲🎧. Leave this episode a review on your podcast player! Find out about our sessions and Forest School Leader Training in Devon, UK at www.children-of-the-forest.com — Guest Info: https://www.muddypuddleclub.co.uk/ instagram: @muddypuddlelizzie — In this episode, the...

Support The Forest School Podcast on Patreon for bonus episodes and ad-free episodes at ⁠ www.patreon.com/th eforestschoolpodcast ⁠ 🌲🎧. Leave this episode a review on your podcast player! Find out about our sessions and Forest School Leader Training in Devon, UK at www.children-of-the-forest.com SummaryThe Forest School Podcast attended the International Forest School Research Symposium at the U...

https://www.marjon.ac.uk/about-marjon/staff-list-and-profiles/leather-dr-mark.html Support The Forest School Podcast on Patreon for bonus episodes and ad-free episodes at ⁠ www.patreon.com/th eforestschoolpodcast ⁠ 🌲🎧. Leave this episode a review on your podcast player! Find out about our sessions and Forest School Leader Training in Devon, UK at www.children-of-the-forest.com Summary In this co...

Support The Forest School Podcast on Patreon for bonus episodes and ad-free episodes at ⁠ www.patreon.com/th eforestschoolpodcast ⁠ 🌲🎧. Leave this episode a review on your podcast player! Find out about our sessions and Forest School Leader Training in Devon, UK at www.children-of-the-forest.com Summary In this episode of The Forest School Podcast, Lewis and Wem discuss the importance of dressin...

Supporting the podcast at www.patreon.com/theforest school podcast Get in touch at www.theforestschoolpodcast.com Train with us at www.children-of-the-forest.com Summary The conversation explores the decline in nature connection among teenagers and the challenges of engaging adolescents with nature. It delves into the impact of autonomy, rebellion, and social acceptance on nature connection, as we...

Support The Forest School Podcast on Patreon for bonus episodes and ad-free episodes at ⁠ www.patreon.com/th eforestschoolpodcast ⁠ 🌲🎧. Leave this episode a review on your podcast player! Find out about our sessions and Forest School Leader Training in Devon, UK at www.children-of-the-forest.com Summary The Forest School Podcast discusses the concept of biophilia and the healing bond between hum...

Get your Forest School Confessions in at www.theforestschoolpodcast.com Support The Forest School Podcast on Patreon for bonus episodes and ad-free episodes at ⁠ www.patreon.com/th eforestschoolpodcast ⁠ 🌲🎧. Leave this episode a review on your podcast player! Sponsors: Carbonfarmers.world for Tawi Stoves! Guest Info: https://www.hackneyoutdoors.co.uk/services Summary In this episode of The Fores...