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Fire & Knives: Kids Need Risky Play

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     As parents, it's our job to protect our children but at what point do kids need to explore risk taking? Even though we may not always want to admit it, risk is a fact of life. There are hazards all over the place including in our own homes. It's just that some risks we've learned to live with while others continue to terrify us. For example, we're okay having metal forks in the house even though there are electrical outlets too. We've learned how to be safe around electrical outlets through stories and maybe even direct experience 😬.     As a nature mentor who teaches regular outdoor classes for youth I can tell you that the two most popular activities for kids are building a fire and carving with knives. Both of these involve risk as there is definitely a dangerous side to each of these. I often start by telling kids something like "fire can be dangerous. It can get out of control and burn things down" (this gets their attention if I don't hav
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2 Common Forest School Models: similarities and differences

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  Two Common Forest School Models In the United States there are 2 main types of Forest Schools. One is the traditional  Forest School model that originated in Denmark in 1952. The idea formed as a result of a  group of neighbors and their children gathered together in a nearby forest. This new form of  daycare quickly attracted attention from other parents. This model has grown over the years  and now has 6 key principles to set forest school apart from traditional schooling and to guide  its processes and curriculum.        The 6 Principles: 1. Forest School is a long-term process of regular sessions, rather than one-off or infrequent visits. The cycle of planning, observation, adaptation and review links each session. 2. Forest School takes place in a natural or woodland environment to support the development of a lifelong relationship between the learner and the natural world. 3.  Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all involved , fostering resilient, conf
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