EDUCATION BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Being outdoors offers many benefits to children, both physically and mentally. The outdoor environment encourages problem-solving, inventiveness and resourcefulness, creative thought and expression, and development of the imagination. There are unique opportunities to develop gross and fine motor skills. There is time and space for children to play, to initiate and lead to their own activities, to engage in physical and group activities that develop social and emotional competence, and to make deep and meaningful connections with the natural environment, others and the self. All areas of the curriculum can be accessed fully and are well supported by ‘real life’, hands-on learning experiences within a context which is relevant to the child
WHAT WE OFFER
THE IDEAL ENVIRONMENT
We believe that the outdoors offers children the ideal environment. Rich in natural materials that can be used creatively and imaginatively, it stimulates curiosity and fascination, and motivates discovery – essential ingredients for learning and development.
There is time, space, and opportunity for exploration, and the freedom to move around and adapt to the environment.Experiencing nature all year round enables children to observe change, introducing them to the patterns and cycles of seasons which provide an ever-changing and diverse environment with infinite possibilities and opportunities – planting vegetables in the spring, foraging for berries in the summer, building dens and rolling around in a blanket of leaves in autumn, or crunching frost and ice underfoot in winter.
We offer a curriculum that covers age appropriate cognitive, emotional and physical development based on the Waldorf alternative educational approach coupled with the
Romanian national curriculum.
All teachers and assistants are attested in Forest School Level 1 -3 through the International Forest School accreditation system in the UK. They are also either completing or have completed Facultatea de Psihologie & Stiintele Educatiei- Invatamant primar & prescolar and are certified in teaching the Romanian National curriculum so as to be able to prepare children for entering grades 0 and onward. Weekly lesson plans are created by implementing Forest School activities while complying to subjects and objectives outlined in the Romanian National curriculum.
Furthermore, teachers do not operate a punishment and reward system. There are no time outs. Positive and respectful discipline is implemented where children are guided to understand their emotions and actions.
