Ep 185: Creating Non-Judgmental Spaces in Forest School

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. [05:31] – First mud kitchen tip: Eyelet-punched tea towels. [08:30] – The importance of sensory play in the mud kitchen. [09:45] – What counts as a mud kitchen? The variety of setups. [13:00] – Creating multiple eating spots for kids in the mud kitchen. [19:00] – Recipe posters: Are they helpful or harmful to play? [27:40] – Cleaning the mud kitchen: Brushes, hooks, and “wok brushes.” [32:00] – How hooks everywhere can revolutionize tidying up. [39:00] – Introducing currency in mud kitchens: Wood cookie money. [44:00] – Foraged items in the mud kitchen: Bringing nature into play. Referenced Works: The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr

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, trust, and competence play key roles in educational success. How can you ensure you're not unintentionally causing harm? Are your Forest School practices as inclusive as they could be? Tune in to discover practical strategies for creating a truly inclusive, nature-based educational setting. Chapter Titles & Timing: Intro and Guest Background (00:00 - 05:30) Visit theforestschoolpodcast.com for more insights. Autism, Nature, and Forest Schools (05:31 - 15:45) What’s the intersection of nature and neurodivergence? The Challenges of Outdoor Learning (15:46 - 25:00) How do we avoid romanticizing nature and ignoring reality? Autonomy and Trust in Outdoor Education (25:01 - 35:20) Can children truly experience autonomy outdoors? Ensuring Inclusivity in Forest Schools (35:21 - 45:10) Why inclusivity goes beyond just being outdoors. The Future of Forest Schools and Research (45:11 - 55:40) Referenced Works: Practitioner perspectives on nature-based learning for autistic children Samantha Friedman ORCID Icon, Scott A. Morrison ORCID Icon & Allison Shibata Published online: 19 Sep 2024 (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00958964.2024.2401785) Michael James, “Forest School Handbook” (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Forest-School-Autism-Practical-Guide/dp/1785922912) Sinead O’Brien, Autism and Nature Research (Link to relevant studies)

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 what does this mean for your forest school practice? How can you strike the right balance between freedom and structure? The hosts discuss the importance of modeling appropriate responses to frustration and disappointment. Are you equipping your learners with the tools to handle life's inevitable "no's"? Lewis and Wem also touch on the fascinating differences in how boys and girls are taught to express disagreement. How might this impact your approach to teaching emotional regulation in the outdoors? This episode offers valuable insights for both new and experienced forest school practitioners. How will you apply these ideas to create a more nuanced and effective learning environment? Remember to visit theforestschoolpodcast.com for more resources and to join the conversation! Chapter Titles & Timing: 0:00 - Introduction: The 'Yes' Environment Dilemma 5:03 - Modeling 'No': A Delicate Balance 12:28 - The Squirrel Interruption: Nature's Reminder 18:41 - Emotional Responses in Different Settings 27:26 - Designing Spaces for Authenticity 34:25 - When Adults Lose Control: Modeling Recovery 38:20 - Conclusion: Risk-Assessing Your 'Yeses' For more in-depth discussions on forest school practices, head over to theforestschoolpodcast.com. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review if you found this episode valuable! Looking to dive deeper into these concepts? Visit theforestschoolpodcast.com for exclusive content and resources to enhance your forest school practice.

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 education in city settings, the marketing pressures schools face, and the importance of communicating Forest School's unique pedagogy. This episode offers valuable insights for educators, parents, and anyone interested in nature-based learning. Visit theforestschoolpodcast.com for more resources on outdoor education. Chapter Titles & Timing: 00:00 - Introduction and Emma's Forest School experience 05:30 - The allure of Forest Schools for urban parents 12:15 - Challenges of implementing Forest School in cities 18:45 - Marketing vs. reality: Are schools overpromising? 25:20 - Communicating Forest School's deeper pedagogy 31:40 - The future of Forest Schools and outdoor education For more episodes and exclusive content, head to theforestschoolpodcast.com. 38:10 - Closing thoughts and practical applications Don't forget to share your Forest School experiences at theforestschoolpodcast.com!

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 play a crucial role in ecosystems by controlling rodent populations. Conservation efforts, education, and ambassador owls are helping to protect and raise awareness about these incredible birds. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Gratitude 01:41 The Astonishing Diversity of Owls 03:03 The Secrets of Owl Legs and Silent Flight 04:56 The Marvels of Owl Vision and Hearing 06:22 The Fascinating World of Owl Vocalizations 09:08 The Intelligence and Family Dynamics of Owls 11:30 The Intriguing Hunting Behaviors of Owls 15:15 The Challenges Facing Owls in the Modern World 18:10 The Importance of Owl Conservation and Education

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, and anyone looking to bring more playful, natural movement into their lives. Chapter Titles & Timing: 00:00 - Introduction to Wild Strong 05:34 - Breaking the Gym Mold: Nature as Your Playground 10:41 - The Power of Play in Adult Fitness 15:23 - Challenging 'Correct' Movement Myths 20:50 - Building Community Through Outdoor Exercise 25:35 - Risk Assessment in Natural Settings 30:12 - Affordances: Seeing Movement Opportunities in Nature 35:48 - Family Dynamics in Outdoor Fitness 40:20 - Practical Tips for Educators and Parents 45:15 - Wrapping Up and Resources Throughout the episode, listeners are encouraged to visit theforestschoolpodcast.com for more resources on outdoor education and natural movement. Whether you're an educator looking to incorporate more outdoor activities or a parent seeking ways to get your family moving in nature, this episode offers valuable insights and practical ideas. Don't forget to check out theforestschoolpodcast.com for show notes, links to resources mentioned, and to leave your feedback on this episode. Your input helps shape future content! For more information on Wild Strong and their approach to outdoor fitness, visit their website at wildstrong.co. Remember to visit theforestschoolpodcast.com to join the conversation and share your own experiences with natural movement and outdoor learning.

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 outdoor education, visit theforestschoolpodcast.com. Chapter Titles & Timing: 00:00 - Introduction: The Power of Muddy Memories 05:47 - Childhood Imagination and Nature Connection 13:29 - Lessons from Dementia Care for Educators 19:00 - The Ethics of "Nature Gaslighting" 25:28 - Why Forests Fuel Our Imagination 29:42 - Navigating Conflicts in Outdoor Settings 34:45 - The Magic of "What If" in Nature Education Dive deeper into forest school philosophy and practice at theforestschoolpodcast.com. 41:00 - Practical Tips for Educators and Parents 47:30 - Conclusion: Embracing the Magic of Muddy Memories For more resources and to join the conversation, head to www.theforestschoolpodcast.com. Remember to like, subscribe, and share this episode with fellow outdoor enthusiasts!

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 setting necessary boundaries. Discover practical strategies for fostering a community where everyone feels safe to express themselves authentically. Visit theforestschoolpodcast.com for more insights on Forest School practices! Chapter Titles & Timing: 0:00 - Introduction: The Challenge of Non-Judgment 5:18 - Cultural Kombucha: Building a Non-Judgmental Community 11:14 - Balancing Praise and Judgment 20:49 - The Impact of Judgment in Safe Spaces 27:20 - Modeling Self-Compassion and Mistake Ownership 34:30 - Non-Judgment vs. Permissiveness: Finding the Balance For more episodes on creating inclusive Forest School environments, head to theforestschoolpodcast.com. 39:02 - Closing Thoughts and Listener Engagement Don't forget to check out theforestschoolpodcast.com for additional resources and to join our community of Forest School enthusiasts!

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 (05:02 - 15:22) Facilitating Adult Interactions with Children Present (15:22 - 24:37) Setting Expectations and Creating Adult-Friendly Spaces (24:37 - 29:52) The Unique Container of Forest School for Adult Play (29:52 - 35:13) Key Takeaways: The importance of crafting questions that allow for varying levels of engagement Balancing adult experiences with childcare responsibilities in family sessions Creating adult-friendly spaces within child-centered environments The challenges of overcoming societal expectations for parents to be "martyrs" Forest school as a unique environment for adults to play and connect Links: Website: www.theforestschoolpodcast.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/theforestschoolpodcast

Support the podcast and get bonus content today at www.patreon.com/theforestschoolpodcast Find part 2 at https://www.wildlingsforestschool.com/raisingwildlingsAnd 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 Farrell from Wildlings in Australia. They discuss the importance of lifelong learning in the context of forest school education. They explore how being passionate about learning and nature can drive educators to continuously seek new knowledge and experiences. They also discuss the challenges of being a lifelong learner, such as the pressure to conform to traditional educational systems. The conversation highlights the importance of modeling learning for children and creating a supportive community of learners. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Collaboration with Raising Wildlings Podcast 02:56 Passion for Learning and Nature in Forest School 06:12 Challenges of Being a Lifelong Learner 09:13 Modeling Learning for Children in Forest School 12:00 Building a Supportive Community of Learners in Forest School 25:37 Contemplating the Moral Implications of Overdramatizing Slugs 29:35 The Shift from Rote Memory to Practical Application of Knowledge 37:37 Conclusion and Invitation to Listen to the Second Half on Raising Wildlings Podcast