“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing”
Why is it important to learn outside in all weather?
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The Best Learning Environment
Being outside in all weather is a key feature and benefit of forest school. This model extends the benefits of outdoor play throughout the year. True outdoor education embraces nature in all its forms, ensuring that children experience the marvels of every season. The immersive learning environment fosters adaptability and a profound understanding of the natural world.
Building Resilience and Adaptability
Exposure to diverse weather conditions builds resilience in children. Learning to appreciate and adapt to changing environments equips them with valuable life skills. These experiences instill a sense of flexibility and the ability to find joy in every season.
Studying Nature in Every Season
All-weather forest school programs provide a unique opportunity for children to forge a deep connection with nature. They learn to observe the subtle shifts in the environment, recognize patterns in nature, and understand the seasonal behaviors of flora and fauna.
Holistic Development
The benefits of all-weather forest schools extend beyond physical well-being. They nurture cognitive development, enhance social skills through collaborative play, and promote emotional well-being. Nature becomes the ultimate teacher, offering lessons that extend far beyond the classroom.
Dressing for the weather is the most important step of forest school. Parents play a huge role in making sure students are properly dressed and ready for the outdoors. Students who aren’t properly dressed may be sent home for their own safety. Our teachers are always willing to work with parents to offer advice and let them know if their child needs more layers.
The Parent’s Role
Forest school isn’t just a place, it’s a way of life. Students get the most benefit from forest school when families apply forest school principles at home. We strongly suggest you spend time outside with your child each day to get the full benefits of learning outdoors, model appropriate outdoor wear, and trouble-shoot any issues with your child’s gear. This should be done at the beginning of each season so you and your child are well prepared. Dress yourself in the same layers as your child and spend the same amount of time outdoors. If you’re uncomfortable outdoors, troubleshoot your own layers and your child’s layers to resolve any issues. This is an especially important process for parents with young children who may not be able to effectively communicate.
The Parent’s Attitude
Being outside in all weather at Forest School helps children build resilience, adaptability, and a deeper connection to nature. It encourages them to face challenges like cold, wet, or windy conditions, teaching them to problem-solve and embrace discomfort as part of learning. The attitude of adults plays a key role in this process—if adults approach all weather positively and model appropriate behavior, children are more likely to see outdoor experiences as enjoyable and manageable, helping them develop confidence and a healthy attitude towards nature in any condition. We strongly rely on parents to display a positive attitude during all weather conditions to help our students better adapt and thrive at forest school.
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How Parents Can Equip Kids for Year-Round Outdoor Learning
How to Layer for Cold Weather
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The layering process is simple, but it takes practice and experience to get it right. Don’t worry about getting it right on the first try. Instead, expect to have to resolve issues and troubleshoot layers each season. Your child’s first year at forest school will be the hardest, but after you figure it out, it becomes much easier! Remember to keep following your child’s lead and don’t be discouraged.
Base Layer
This layer is closest to your skin after your underwear. This layer should focus on wicking sweat. Your base layer should never be cotton. Wool and polyester are both good base-layer materials. Wool is the best possible base layer. It keeps you warm, even when you’re wet, and it wicks sweat. Our feet may get wet, but if we have wool socks on, they’ll still be warm. Socks and long underwear should be wool. If wool isn’t an option, polyester (quick-dry) material will work as a base layer. It’s important that the layer closest to the body keeps you warm and doesn’t retain moisture like cotton.
Mid Layer
Your mid layer should focus on insulation. This layer should retain body heat and insulate you from the cold. The mid-layer is more nuanced and based on body type. Some people run hot, while others run cold. The mid-layer will be what we add to or subtract from based on the wearers personal heat preference. It’s always better to err on the side of too warm. It’s much easier to take a layer off when we’re hot than adding a layer while trying to warm up. Mid layers can be fleece-lined pants, flannels, fleece sweaters, sweatshirts, or a thin down jacket. We ask parents to pack an extra mid-layer top in their child’s backpack to have an extra warming layer if needed.
Outer Layer
The outer layer should focus on protection. This layer should protect you from the elements such as wind and rain. The outer layer should always be waterproof. It’s common for people to use snowsuits as an outer layer. Unfortunately, this is an inappropriate outer layer, because snow gear isn’t waterproof. On the contrary, snow gear retains and soaks up moisture. Snow pants and snow boots are not appropriate forest school attire. Snow gear is only appropriate when temperatures are so cold that all the outdoor moisture is frozen and students aren’t at risk of getting wet. Instead of buying snow gear to stay warm, focus on having a great base layer and a warm mid layer. Your outer layer should always be waterproof. You can use normal rain gear, or insulated rain gear as an outer layer at forest school.
Recommended Gear
Check out our gear list for recommended brands and attire. You can find attire in person at REI, or Sierra Trading Post, Second hand, or online at amazon, wholesale outlets, our directly from the manufacturer. Be aware that some companies only honor warranties when they are purchased directly from that company.
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