Have you ever cooked seaweed? Not the kind you get from many takeaways (which is usually cabbage) but actual seaweed? Well you are in luck, the British and Irish coasts are abundant with edible seaweeds (just check the sea water quality!) so it’s all a matter of taste. In fact, until very recently, cooking andContinue reading “The One Where We Cooked Seaweed”
Category Archives: Forest School
I’m a Forest School Leader, but I am not an Outdoorsy person…
I am a Forest School Leader, but I am not an outdoorsy person. At least I used to think that was the case… I have dyspraxia, which means things like tree climbing, tool use and even moving around uneven spaces do not come very naturally to me. I don’t learn very well from visual instructions.Continue reading “I’m a Forest School Leader, but I am not an Outdoorsy person…”
Tips for Adults in a Child-Supporting Role at Beach and Forest School
The Forest School philosophy is about connecting children (and adults) to their natural environment, creating opportunities to develop creativity, confidence, resilience and learning, as well as promoting ways in which children can experience risk. Forest School is often described as a child-led process, but I think it is much more helpful to think of itContinue reading “Tips for Adults in a Child-Supporting Role at Beach and Forest School”
The Magic of Loose Parts – How to incorporate Loose Parts play in to everyday learning
Ever got frustrated that your child was more interested in the box than the Christmas present that was contained inside it? It’s because children have the most amazing unhindered imaginations. They are creative people that are able to make that simple box in to absolutely anything and everything. This is what we mean when weContinue reading “The Magic of Loose Parts – How to incorporate Loose Parts play in to everyday learning”
September at the Beach School
There was only one session of Beach School this September as I headed off to West Wales to have my own personal coastal adventure. However, we fully embraced our time on the beach with rockpooling, printing, kite making, homemade ‘telescopes’ and endless rounds of salt dough pizza. Enjoy the slideshow of our September adventures:
Beach Schooled: Sand Play
We don’t have a lot of sand on the beaches we use for Beach School here in East Kent. But when it appears with the ebbing tide it is always a huge draw for our participants. And rightly so – sand is an absolutely glorious learning material. No preparation required, just get stuck in. PlayingContinue reading “Beach Schooled: Sand Play”
August at the Beach School
August is the month that most people in the UK associate with going to the beach. Peak summer holiday season – sandcastles, picnics, chips in paper. I love it all. However, at our August sessions of Family Beach Explorers, I wanted to people to experience a different side to the coast – to really connectContinue reading “August at the Beach School”
Celebrating September – Seas and Seeds
I truly love September. Maybe it’s because I am a perpetual academic, but it feels like a real new year – a fresh page and full of promise. It’s also a time of warmth, energy, abundance, growth and fruitfulness. It’s a really wonderful time on our coast. Here’s what we’ll be celebrating this month atContinue reading “Celebrating September – Seas and Seeds”
An interview on Frida Be Mighty
I’ve been really honoured to be interviewed by Eloise, of the wonderful parenting & education blog Frida Be Mighty about my family and the impact Forest School has had on our lives (it has been quite a lot!). The full interview is currently featured on her inspirational ‘ A Beautiful Childhood’ course – but youContinue reading “An interview on Frida Be Mighty”
Holdfast Beach and Forest School - East Kent, UK 