At Circle of Life Rediscovery, we run our Forest School Training Level 3 from a beautiful, mixed broadleaf woodland in the heart of the Sussex countryside. In this environment, it is so easy for our trainees to understand the ethos and principles of Forest School, to see how child-led learning can take place, the resources that are available and the importance of nature connection, they can feel it just by being here. In a woodland
World Thinking Day – Civil Rights, Women’s Rights, Earth Right’s and Child’s Rights – what do they all have in common? On World Thinking Day, I have been thinking about how I have always been fascinated by how change happens. It was only in 1965 that the first Race Relations Act came into law, when at last, it was illegal to discriminate against somebody because of the colour of their skin. Our western mind-set supported
Neuroscience of Early Years Neuroscience of Early Years – here’s a little thought experiment. Imagine you have been asleep in a warm and comfortable snug place .… a feeling of such safety encompasses you… but … you cannot remain there … you are being forced out. It is inevitable you have to face a tunnel which leads to something never encountered before … bright light …. unmuffled sounds which resonate in your head …. and
Nature Pedagogy Whilst the use of the terminology ‘nature pedagogy’ may appear relatively new, developing a deep nature connection and understanding how our needs and interests can be met successfully though nature to provide a meaningful contribution to our lives, is our most ancient and biologically responsive blueprint. As a teacher we often use this word ‘pedagogy’. Simply stated, it is the method and practice of teaching. It involves understanding the learner’s needs, their interests
Therapeutic Play & Nature Connection Connecting with Nature helps heal adverse childhood relationships. For over 20 years I have witnessed the power of nature, therapeutic play and safe space to heal young people with challenging behaviour. These have included ‘targeted’ groups of young people, some at risk of early pregnancy, others with violent behaviour from pupil referral units, children and young people with mental health difficulties. All these programmes, days and camps have taken place
May 18, 2021
First by the heart before understood by the mind – Ecopsychology, environmental and art therapy in practice.
Ecopsychology, Environmental and Art Therapy in practice. We are really looking forward to Ian Siddons Heginworth coming to run a 2 day workshop for us in March ‘Exploring the Natural World and the Feeling Self – Alchemical Ash’, an ecopsychology and practical therapeutic training. Ian is a highly experienced and creative practitioner who is both insightful and accessible. Please sign up to our newsletter here to receive future updates about our courses and trainings. I
Forest School Training Level 3 A recent Facebook post asked if you can run a Forest School programme without completing the Forest School Training Level 3. The short answer is, you don’t need qualifications to take people outdoors, nor to necessarily offer great learning and development practice. If you are a parent, you like all of us have a ‘duty of care’ to young people and when you work with other people’s children, you need to
The Importance and Benefits of Nature to our Lives If you are ever in doubt about the importance of and the benefits of nature to our lives, download the latest ‘Living Planet Report 2018’. The Children’s Fire