Fostering children's relationship with nature : exploring the potential of Forest school

Smith, Michelle A.; Dunhill, Ally; Scott, Graham W.

Abstract

Forest School offers children opportunities to explore the natural environment regularly over an extended period of time. It is based on six key principles, one of which states Forest School fosters a relationship with nature and develops long-term pro-environment attitudes through regular personal experiences in nature. We consider to what extent this aim is achieved by exploring the published evidence. We identify that a relationship with nature could be demonstrated under six themes although there is little robust evidence to support this. We suggest further research is carried out directly linked to this aim of Forest School.

• Publication Date: Feb 28, 2017
• Journal: Education 3-13
• Print ISSN: 0300-4279
• Electronic ISSN: 1475-7575
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 46
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 525-534
• APA6 Citation: Smith, M. A., Dunhill, A., & Scott, G. W. (2017). Fostering children's relationship with nature : exploring the potential of Forest school. Education 3-13, 46(5), 525-534. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2017.1298644
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2017.1298644
• Keywords: Outdoor education; Relationship with nature; Forest school; Learning outdoors
• Publisher URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03004279.2017.1298644?scroll=top&needAccess=true
• Copyright Statement: ©2018 University of Hull
• Additional Information: This is the accepted manuscript of an article published in Education 3-13, 2018. The version of record is available at the DOI link in this record.