From the Roots Up

Written By Barbara Manconi

Rooted in Growth – The Evidence‑Based Benefits of Forest Schooling.

Forest schooling—a pedagogy that moves the “classroom” into living woodland for regular, year‑round sessions—has gone from fringe curiosity to global movement. Behind the buzz is a solid and rapidly expanding evidence base that Advanced WHolistic Education (AWE) weaves into its own programmes.

1  Cognitive & Academic Gains

  • A 2023 systematic review of preschool forest‑school programmes found significant boosts in working memory, attentional control and oral language compared with peers taught indoors SpringerLink.

  • A 2024 meta‑analysis spanning ages 6‑18 reported moderate‑to‑large improvements in psychological well‑being, social connectivity and environmental awareness, plus small‑to‑moderate gains in academic performance MDPI.

  • UK and Belgian longitudinal studies show that regular exposure to green space can even raise measured IQ—an effect strongest for children from lower‑income neighbourhoods The Guardian.

2  Physical & Mental‑Health Benefits

Ethnographic observations of forest‑school cohorts reveal marked improvements in gross motor coordination, balance and immune resilience, alongside sharp reductions in cortisol and self‑reported stress PMC. During the COVID‑19 era the National Outdoor Learning Initiative documented lower anxiety and higher engagement when lessons moved outside, especially for pupils from marginalised communities Verywell Mind.

3  Social‑Emotional Development

Reviews prepared for the UK Chartered College of Teaching highlight measurable gains in cooperation, empathy and conflict‑resolution skills—attributes researchers attribute to the “looser, richer affordances” of woodland space My College.

4  Environmental Stewardship

Children who learn among trees develop a durable “place identity.” Long‑term tracking shows early nature immersion predicts greener lifestyle choices in adolescence and adulthood MDPI.

5  Where to Start

  • Forest School Association practitioner framework

  • National Outdoor Learning Initiative free planning hub

  • AWE Nature Progression Map that integrates literacy and numeracy milestones with ecological inquiry

When thoughtfully implemented, forest schooling is far more than a breath of fresh air—it is a research‑backed catalyst for whole‑child flourishing.

Barbara Manconi
Next

From obedient students to obedient workers