Crews from PBS TV, producers of the program "Life Explorer" - presenting ideas and philosophies in life to viewers as a 50 minute weekly series, airs on Thai PBS every Thursday, 20:10 - 21:00 hrs – will be spending two days filming at Esher Nursery School & Forest School in Surrey for their documentary 'Life Explorer'.

This eye-opening documentary will follow the forest school children through the day and look into the important questions of what and how children learn during early years. 

The documentary is a combination of pure observational footage of the children during lessons in the forest, paired with interviews with parents, teachers, child development experts, and alumni, offering the viewers a genuine look into the Forest School Ethos. It will be filmed on the 20 and 21st July,

There will be many discoveries, laughter, beauty and amazement during this unique process of learning. There is no ordinary classroom for these children! 

Esher Nursery School & Forest School is located in Surrey. Children 2 to 5 years of age go to Nursery School in the woods every day, no matter what the weatherman says.

Children at our unique nursery school benefit from regular Forest School sessions. These include making dens, exploring and learning about the different environments, climbing, mud play, bug hunting and making ‘bug hotels’, scavenger hunts, artwork using natural materials and observing wildlife and their habitats.

The whole Forest School idea originates from Scandinavia and is becoming more and more popular here and in many other countries as people are increasingly recognising that an outdoor approach to play and learning can have a huge impact on the development of children.

The approach enables children to have the freedom to explore as they learn.

Helena Spinelli, managing director of Esher Nursery School & Forest School, said: “We agreed to help the television crew to present to the big wide world our specialised teaching approach that sits within and compliments the wider context of outdoor and woodland education.

I feel Forest School creates a fantastic learning environment for children. I find it very interesting and I particularly enjoy seeing the different ways in which children learn whilst taking part. The children have the opportunity to engage with the rich, natural diversity of the woodland environment.

They have opportunities to play with and learn about natural objects, animal habitats etc, and also to develop a range of different skills during their Forest School sessions such as communication, problem-solving and risk management. 

This documentary will help viewers to further understand how children use their imagination and how the skills learnt will help children develop their social skills, for when they become young adults. Forest School provides excellent opportunities to support the children’s social development, communication skills and also physical development throughout”.

www.eshernurseryschool.co.uk

Article supplied by Helena Spinelli