Through The Lens Of: Forest School

Living in Dubai, where it’s hot and humid for half of our Academic Year, we have learned to get creative and find ways to ensure our children still have ample access to the outdoor environments we have crafted for them. We have drawn a lot of inspiration from Forest Schooling in this process, as it has always been important for us to incorporate as much nature into our learning areas as possible.

Our Environment

Kid's Island Nursery is covered in lush greenery, and we use as many natural resources as possible. There is nothing that beats the feeling of climbing trees and jumping in puddles as a child, and it is our goal to recreate that experience for the children in our care, as often as possible.

Adventurous Play

A big part of what we do at Kid’s Island, which aligns with the Forest Schooling ethos, is encouraging children to manage risk and engage in adventurous play. With supervision and appropriate child-to-adult ratios, we believe that the best way for children to learn is through hands-on experiences. Our learning environments provide ample opportunities for this type of play while remaining suitable for their age and stage of development, no matter where they are in the nursery.

The Benefit of the Outdoors

The entire idea of Forest Schooling is to get out into nature, learn with the senses, and allow children to develop in a holistic and well-rounded environment. This ensures that the focus remains on the child and their individual interests, wants, and needs —which is essential for giving children the best start in life. In return it builds on their their newfound self-confidence and independence.

At Kid’s Island, we have always found that our children thrive best in spaces that allow them freedom of movement and give them time to fully immerse themselves in their play. Forest Schooling also supports the idea of allowing children to revisit their environments and play invitations repeatedly, reinforcing their learning through repetition.

Building a Strong Sense of Community

As Dubai is such a transient and diverse city that provides so much rich culture and opportunities to learn from each-other, we love that Forest Schooling places such a strong emphasis on community. We want to continue to build upon our connections with the wider community and this the reason why our ‘Stay & Play’ on Thursday mornings, is attended by so many families. It's a great way for everyone to connect and have fun together. We invite all parents, regardless of registration status, to join us for playtime in our beautiful nursery setting. This nurtures a collaborative culture, inspired by the principles of Forest School, ensuring that Kids Island becomes a cherished memory wherever our children's adventures may lead

FAQ

What is the best age for Forest School?

Forest School ideally starts when children are in their Early Years, around the same time that they are ready to attend nursery. The idea is allow children, approximately aged 2 to 7 years old, to begin their learning journey without academic pressure and benefit from learning in an outdoor environment.

What is the difference between Montessori and Forest School?

While both Montessori and Forest Schooling put a strong emphasis on building up children’s independence in their Early Years, Montessori schooling tends to be more rigid and structured in its learning style, whereas Forest schooling is more free-flowing and moldable to the child’s individual interests.

What happens at Forest School?

At Kid’s Island, as well as in Forest Schooling, our ultimate goal is to promote a strong sense of self, build children’s self-esteem and creativity, and establish a focus on learning through play. This approach celebrates children's interests and natural curiosity, fostering a lifelong love of learning.

Are there forest schools in the UAE?

While there are significant environmental barriers that prevent schools and nurseries in the UAE from fully embracing Forest Schooling, many have integrated its core principles into their curriculums. This brings a sense of wonder and exploration through nature. At Kid’s Island, we have blended our indoor and outdoor classrooms seamlessly with resources that promote discovery and exploration through adventurous play.