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The benefits of
forest school

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Learning outdoors at Plantpots

There is overwhelming evidence that getting kids outdoors provides the best possible start in life and we are proud to foster this at Plantpots Jesmond.

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Studies demonstrate that children now know less about the natural world than ever before in the history of humankind. According to the National Trust, fewer than one in ten children regularly play in wild places compared to almost half a generation ago, a third have never climbed a tree, and one in 10 can’t ride a bike. Our increasingly indoor and sedentary lifestyles are leading to distressing physical and mental symptoms, including obesity (linked to low overall fitness levels), behavioural problems, stress and a lack of awareness of nature and its benefits.

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Fortunately, increasing outdoor time for children is the simplest way to tackle these problems and a forest education offers a range of proven health and wellbeing benefits.

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At Plantpots we are all about getting children outside and scientific evidence suggests that this is one of the best ways to address the inactivity that leads to obesity and other related health issues. Studies have shown that children have higher physical activity levels in green spaces compared to non-green spaces and that children who spend more time outdoors have better motor skills and fitness, especially balance and coordination.

 

Being outside more also helps to prevent myopia (nearsightedness) in children. Playing outside for prolonged periods has been shown to have a positive impact on children's development, particularly in the areas of balance and agility, but also manual dexterity, physical coordination, tactile sensitivity, and depth perception.

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According to these studies, children who attend forest school, experience fewer injuries due to accidents. A child's ability to assess risks also improves. Playing outdoors strengthens the immune systems of both children and staff.

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What clothing will you need?

We will be outdoors all day, every day, come rain or shine!

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To ensure our children are comfortable and prepared, on days when there is any rain or drizzle, as we often encounter lots of mud on our way into the forest, we would ask you to drop the children off dressed in their waterproofs as we do need to leave on time and don't want your child to get their clothes wet or muddy before we even start the day!

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On sunny days, we ask you to apply a layer of sunscreen before you drop your child off, ensuring it is suitable to be worn all day as we can not reapply during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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All children will need a named water bottle and a backpack with a change of clothing, following their forest school adventure.

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What to wear in summer:

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  • Light waterproofs 

  • One pair of comfortable trousers (jogging bottoms or leggings)

  • One light long-sleeved t-shirt

  • One fleecy zip up jacket (in a backpack just in case)

  • One pair of socks

  • Wellies or sturdy closed toe shoes (which you don't mind getting wet and muddy!)

  • A sun hat for sunny days

  • Spare trousers and socks in backpacks (more than one set of each plus underwear if toilet training)

  • We recommend that children arrive at the nursery already wearing an all-day sunscreen.

Our forest school provides many opportunities for friendships to develop. Watch our video above to find out more... 
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What to wear in spring/autumn: 

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  • Warm waterproofs 

  • One pair of comfortable trousers (jogging bottoms or leggings)

  • One long sleeved t-shirt or top

  • One thick jumper

  • One fleecy zip up jacket (in the backpack, just in case)

  • Two pairs of socks. On the bottom, one pair of thin cotton socks, and on top a

  • pair of thick wool or fluffy bed socks

  • Wellies or sturdy closed toe shoes (which you don't mind getting wet and muddy!)

  • Spare trousers and socks in backpacks (more than one set of each plus underwear

        if toilet training).

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What to wear in winter:

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  • Thick warm waterproofs 

  • Base layer - thermals

  • Next bottom layer - fleece or other warm tracksuit bottoms

  • First top layer - long sleeve t-shirt or thin jumper

  • Second top layer - fleece jumper

  • Third top layer - fleece jacket

  • Neck scarf

  • Hat and gloves (plenty of spares to be packed in backpack)

  • Four pairs of socks. Two pairs to wear (on the bottom, one pair of thin cotton socks, and on top a pair of thick wool or fluffy bed socks) and two spare pairs to be packed in the backpack

  • Extra jumpers to be packed in backpack for really cold days

  • Snow boots, sturdy warm outdoor boots or fur lined wellies.

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