The Role Of Observation At Forest School

Today, I’m going to be turning my attention onto something super important at Forest School but is very often not discussed and I hope it gives you a greater understanding and insight once again into the role the Forest School leader plays on the development of your child. This episode is all about Observation.

Let’s be truthful We all do it! Whether we’re walking down the street and checking out what others are up to, sat in traffic have a good look at a crash we’re going past or as a child watching other children and using these moments to learn from.

Obser-what?

But what is meant by observation at Forest School. Simply it is about watching your child’s actions, expressions, gestures and behaviours, and listening to their talk and interactions with other children as they play which is all central to Forest School.

Sometimes it is about joining in with their play or conversations and sometimes about stepping back, watching silently and asking and responding to questions only if appropriate or necessary and never to seek knowledge, but to further ideas an thoughts or the observers understanding.

Observation requires a sensitive and respectful approach to children’s play and an attitude of openness to the individual’s learning agenda.

Why Is Observation So Important?

Now you may be thinking well why would you be watching my child so closely Mark?

Observation in Forest School and more generally in child development is key to understanding your child as a competent, independent and individual learner.

It is such a simple but vital tool in finding out more about them. It also creates superb moments for both children and the Leader to reflect on. Both before, during or after a set of play events.

The skill of the Forest School leader comes in when having to interpret or explain why a child is displaying certain play choices, behaviours, skills, and all that good stuff and how your child can best be supported to their next learning step.

At Forest School it forms the bedrock of navigating a child’s next step in their holistic development and meeting them where they’re at. Without it quite simply none of this would be possible.

What Are You Looking Out For?

So what might a Forest School Leader be looking out for when observing?

It may include what is interesting and motivating to your child as an individual and them as part of a larger group;

How they have responded to a particular situation, play choice or opportunity;

Factors that influence their involvement and sense of well-being during the time they are with us;

Over time how the children’s skills are developing and what next as it were;

How do they interact with adults and other children and how are these friendships able to develop;

How they approach learning, for example, their attitudes around something they choose that from the start may challenge them;

Which resources can a Leader bring along to enhance your child’s play further;

And finally patterns in behaviour your child may exhibit. Remember all behaviour is a need.

All this information feeds into the Leaders bigger picture of that child and they are able to form a well rounded understanding of your child’s holistic development from this. Development of the whole child and not one area at a time.

When Is Observation Used?

Observation is a tool used throughout every session from the very first meeting to a session 4 years down the line and happens continuously. It all feeds into that bigger picture.

From the first meeting it all starts with each new individual being observed with relation to the Forest School baseline assessment, which isn’t really an assessment, but is something I spoke more about in a previous episode that is linked in the description for you to check out.

This provides an intention and direction for development with an end goal in mind for your child’s holistic development.

This allows a Forest School leader to know where they need to facilitate or help learning and development with your child specifically. This is continually reflected upon, added too and refreshed depending on your child’s developmental progress and to meet them where they are at before guiding them to their next step.

The whole observation process as I’ve just spoken about then repeats itself time and again to inform and almost keep a record of where your child is upto.

How Do You Record Observation?

Many others within a child development role will say they have a standard way to record these observations. At Forest School it is down to the leader. For me it is a mix of pictures and mental notes that are written up following each sessions as part of my session reflection.

As I have mentioned in an earlier episode I’m a huge advocate of in the moment planning which is about going with the children’s idea 100% in line with the Forest School ethos of child led play, the same is true for my observation.

I have been there before, having to fill out a huge A4 sheet about 1 child I’m observing, seriously. It’s all about the interaction and hands on time for me that allows me to see deeper into your child’s learning and plot their holistic development course much more accurately and saves a heck of a lot of faffing about and time.

Time, that I can get on being productive with and add huge amounts of extra value in our families lives and not be sat at home writing up observations as I once had to.

This is why observation is so important at Forest School and I hope it gives you a greater understanding once again into the role the Forest School leader plays on the development of your child.

You’re Just One Session Away.