The Forest Play Approach Training

Early Play, Education & Communication Lead, Becky Poulter Jewson and Early Years Teacher & Forest School Lead, Mindy Pickering, have come together through their joint research, practice and belief in outdoor learning, to create The Forest Play Approach.

Explore with us what this means and how this approach can create the optimum learning environments, where children and teams can thrive.

Our educational practice and research are based in children's deep engagement in play, learning, connection to nature and enabling environments. Through our individual backgrounds we have collaborated to create these workshops with an emphasis on developing practice which enhances communication and wellbeing in the outdoors for educators, teachers and children. Supporting individuals and teams to be the best that they can be.
  
The Forest Play Approach Training
This series of outdoor training modules aim to develop a greater understanding of the benefits of the natural environment, enhance the wellbeing of children and teams, and build educators' confidence in their outdoor practice.
  
Our training modules include:

1. Communication & well-being 

2. Balancing risk & benefit in children's play 

3. Child-led play 

4. Schemas outdoors 

5. Physical play outdoors 

6. Weapons & superhero play  

7. Developing your mud area in a sustainable way

8. Storytelling outdoors

9. Fire, foraging and cooking on a campfire

 
Focused on building knowledge and confidence, our workshops are designed to be interactive, collaborative learning, and lots of fun!
 
In-person training
The training sessions run on Thursday afternoons, from 1pm to 2.30pm, in person, at our beautiful Oxstalls Campus Forest School site.
 
Alternatively, we can work with your school or setting to create a training package depending on your needs.
  

• Site appraisal, audit & survey - understanding the legalities

• Health & safety

• Communication with stakeholders

• Pedagogy & play

• Balancing risk & benefit 

• Outdoor policies & procedures

• Practicalities of preparing a site

• Planning

• Resources

• Sustainability audits & policies

 
Working with schools
We work with schools to enhance their SEMH provision, using neuroscience-based research, theory and practice.  Our trauma-informed and therapeutic approach ensures the best opportunities for children with additional needs.  Badger Wood Adventures is also registered with Gloucestershire County Council as an Alternative Provision, so please get in touch for support with your provision and training needs.
 
Developing grounds and outdoor spaces
We can support schools and settings with practical help in changing their environment, we provide consultation and professional support in developing in-practice Communication Rich Environments both inside and outside.
 
We are specialist in creating, developing and resourcing environments. This is always with sustainability at the heart.    
 
If you have any questions, get in touch and let's grow together!