Children learning how to assess and take reasonable risks
Children learning to assess and take reasonable risks
Even before entering the wood, it is forest school practice to stand back look at the trees and consider how the weather conditions that day may be affecting safety of the forest school site. At all ages the children are fully involved in this process. Young children happily suspend belief and will ask ‘Mr Ashtree, if they may come in and then consider whether the wind is moving the trees in a welcoming manner or telling them to stay away. One child will often go and listen to what the tree says by putting their ear to the trunk (as we know trees only whisper). The listening child will report back to the group whether the tree has endorsed their opinion of the safety of the wood that day. With adult prompting the child may even have a list from the tree of seasonal happenings to look out for that day.
Once inside the wood Forest school sessions guide children how to weigh up the risks involved in many activities.
Questions posed include:-
How thick must a branch be to bear your weight?
How do you know if a branch is alive or dead?
Activities such as climbing a tree, balancing on a log and deciding whether a swing will take your weight all require children to apply acquired knowledge and then decide for themselves whether to proceed. Adults only intervene if the risks involved are unacceptable.
