About Forest School
1. What is a Forest School?
A Forest School is an outdoor, nature-based education approach that encourages children to learn through exploration, play, and hands-on experiences in a natural environment. Instead of a traditional classroom setting, learning takes place in forests, parks, or other outdoor spaces where children engage in activities like climbing, building shelters, identifying plants and wildlife, storytelling, and problem-solving in real-world contexts. The approach is rooted in child-led, experiential learning, allowing students to develop confidence, independence, and resilience while fostering a deep connection with nature. Forest Schools provide children with a well-rounded education that blends academic, physical, and emotional growth in a way that is both joyful and deeply meaningful.
2. How Does Forest School Benefit My Child’s Development?
Forest schools offer numerous benefits, including:
- Improved social skills: Children learn cooperation, teamwork, and conflict resolution through group activities. As well as emotional resilience that is nurtured in a collaborative outdoor setting.
- Enhanced creativity: Nature-based learning encourages imaginative thinking and problem-solving, and unstructured play in nature sparks innovation.
- Physical health: Active outdoor play boosts physical development, coordination, and resilience. It encourages children to take appropriate risks, make decisions, and solve problems on their own.
- Emotional growth: Being in nature promotes self-regulation, confidence, and a positive mental outlook.
- Environmental stewardship: Children develop a lifelong connection to the environment and learn sustainable practices, and a lifelong appreciation for the natural world.
3. How Does Forest School Help with Kindergarten Readiness?
A Forest School prepares students for kindergarten by fostering a strong foundation in social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development through hands-on, play-based learning in nature. Here’s how:
Social and Emotional Readiness:
- Encourages independence and confidence as children make choices and solve problems on their own.
- Develops social skills like cooperation, turn-taking, and communication through group activities and unstructured play.
- Teaches emotional regulation and resilience by navigating challenges, such as climbing obstacles or handling minor conflicts.
Academic & Cognitive Development:
- Supports early literacy and numeracy through storytelling, pattern recognition, and counting natural objects.
- Encourages critical thinking and problem-solving as children explore their environment and experiment with new ideas.
- Builds focus and attention span by engaging in long periods of immersive outdoor learning.
Physical Growth & Motor Skills:
- Strengthens gross motor skills through running, climbing, balancing, and navigating varied terrain.
- Improves fine motor skills by handling natural materials like sticks, leaves, and small tools.
- Promotes overall health and well-being by encouraging movement, fresh air, and exposure to nature.
Love for Learning & Adaptability
- Instills curiosity and enthusiasm for discovery, creating a lifelong love of learning.
- Teaches adaptability and resilience, as children experience different weather conditions and environments.
- Encourages a growth mindset, where challenges are seen as opportunities for learning.
By the time they enter kindergarten, Forest School students are well-prepared with the social-emotional confidence, cognitive skills, and physical abilities needed to thrive in a structured classroom setting. They bring a deep sense of curiosity, independence, and adaptability that sets the stage for future academic and personal success.
4. What Should My Child Wear to a Forest School?
At forest school, children should wear weather-appropriate clothing that allows them to engage in active outdoor play. We recommend:
- Sturdy shoes or boots suitable for walking and playing in mud, water, or rocky areas.
- Layered clothing to stay warm in cooler weather (rain jackets, hats, and mittens in winter; lightweight, breathable fabrics in summer).
- Waterproof outerwear for rainy or wet conditions.
- Sun protection such as hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses during sunny days.
5. Can My Child Attend Both Forest School and Traditional School?
It is possible for children to participate in both forest school and traditional school programs, depending on the child’s schedule and needs. Many parents choose to enroll their child in a part-time forest school program while attending a traditional school or partaking in home schooling for the remainder of the week. This hybrid approach allows children to benefit from the flexibility and outdoor engagement of forest schooling while maintaining traditional academic progress.
6. What is the Impact of Nature-Based Learning on a Child’s Emotional Health?
Nature-based learning programs like those at Asheville Farmstead School have been shown to support children’s emotional well-being in numerous ways:
- Stress Reduction: Spending time outdoors has been linked to reduced stress and anxiety in children.
- Increased Focus and Attention: The calming effect of nature helps children improve focus and attention spans.
- Resilience Building: Children in forest schools are encouraged to take risks and overcome challenges, promoting self-confidence and emotional resilience.
About Farmstead
1. What is the Asheville Farmstead School?
Asheville Farmstead School, established in April 2016, is a nonprofit outdoor, farm-based school located on 25 acres of forested land in Candler, North Carolina, approximately 20 minutes from downtown Asheville. The school is dedicated to teaching children and families about homesteading, natural sciences, life skills, sustainability, and agriculture.
The school's mission is to connect students to an increased awareness of the natural world, the complexities of agriculture, and the interrelations of living communities. By celebrating individual diversity, Asheville Farmstead lays the foundation for empathy and kindness, aiming to create a village of lifelong learners.
Asheville Farmstead School is proud to be one of seven internationally accredited Cedarsong® Way Schools, a compassion-based nature pedagogy that promotes kindness, respect, emotional intelligence, mindfulness, social connection, teamwork, cooperation, and self-empowerment.
Through its diverse programs and commitment to outdoor, experiential learning, Asheville Farmstead School provides children with opportunities to develop a deep connection with nature, acquire practical life skills, and grow into empathetic, knowledgeable individuals.
2. What Programs Does Asheville Farmstead School Offer?
Asheville Farmstead School offers a variety of programs designed to engage children in nature-based learning:
- Sprouts Program (Ages potty trained-6): A half-day preschool program that fosters exploration, creativity, and a love for nature.
- Littlest Learners Program (Ages 5-8): A more structured program that builds academic skills while continuing to emphasize outdoor play and learning.
- Camp Farmstead (Ages 3-12): A summer camp offering immersive outdoor activities, arts, and nature exploration.
- Family Discovery Days: Open community events that allow all families to experience the farm and forest school environment.
3. What Makes Asheville Farmstead School Different from Traditional Schools?
Asheville Farmstead School offers a holistic, nature-focused curriculum that contrasts with traditional classroom settings. Key differences include:
- Outdoor learning: Children spend most of their day outdoors, allowing them to experience real-world learning.
- Hands-on experience: Learning activities involve building, gardening, animal care, and exploration of the natural world.
- Small class sizes: With a focus on individualized attention, the school offers a low student-to-teacher ratio, enhancing personal development.
- Sustainability and agriculture: Students learn about sustainable farming practices and environmental stewardship.
4. What makes Asheville Farmstead School different than other forest schools in WNC
Asheville Farmstead School distinguishes itself from other forest schools in Western North Carolina through its unique integration of farm-based education with nature immersion. Situated on a 25-acre forested campus in Candler, just 20 minutes from downtown Asheville, the school offers students hands-on experiences that connect them to the natural world, agriculture, and the interrelations of living communities. The Farmstead is extremely fortunate to have secured a long-term lease with our property owners, which has allowed us to make major investments and improvements to the facilities on campus. This is highly unique in our region and something we take a lot of pride in.
A notable aspect of Asheville Farmstead School is its accreditation in The Cedarsong Way, a compassion-based nature pedagogy that promotes kindness, respect, emotional intelligence, mindfulness, social connection, teamwork, cooperation, and self-empowerment. This accreditation ensures a high level of excellence in outdoor education.
All of the above, and by combining farm-based education with forest school principles, Asheville Farmstead School provides a comprehensive and immersive learning experience that sets it apart from other forest schools in the region.
5. What is the Teacher-to-Student Ratio at Asheville Farmstead School?
The Asheville Farmstead School maintains small class sizes to ensure personalized attention. Typically, the ratio is 1 teacher for every 7 children, allowing for a more intimate, hands-on learning experience that supports individual development. For Camp Farmstead we move to a 1 teacher for every 8 children ratio.
6. How Do I Enroll My Child in Asheville Farmstead School?
We require all families who want to enroll their students in our school year programs to come out to the Farmstead for a tour. We have found that it is the best way to share more about our programs, educators, and facilities to allow families to fully digest what it means to enroll in a fully outdoor, play-based school. It allows us to see how your student interacts with our campus and allows families to ask questions and be able to see the spaces their student would be in at Farmstead. Tours last anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the number of questions families have.
Not local to the area yet and looking for a school for your student? Don’t fret; we are happy to host a digital meeting/tour. While you won’t get the full property tour, you will be able to have an in-depth Q&A session! We will also gladly schedule an onsite tour if desired, when you do arrive locally, at no additional cost. Virtual tours are reserved only for families that are not local.
7. Is Financial Aid Available at Asheville Farmstead School?
Yes, Asheville Farmstead School offers limited financial aid for eligible families and based on available funding. We encourage families to reach out to our Executive Director to discuss tuition assistance options and determine eligibility. We believe that a nature-based education should be accessible to all families.
8. Does Asheville Farmstead School Provide Meals?
No, we do not provide meals to students. Parents will send snacks, lunches, and water bottles with their students each day, with the amount depending on the program they are enrolled in.
9. What Are Family Discovery Days?
Family Discovery Days are monthly, open to the public events that invite families to explore Asheville Farmstead School’s farm and forest environment. These events are designed for families to experience the outdoor learning spaces firsthand, participate in activities, and connect with other community members. These also satisfy the pre-enrollment tour requirement for prospective families!
10. How Can I Support Asheville Farmstead School?
There are several ways you can support Asheville Farmstead School:
- Donate: Contributions help fund scholarships, outdoor classroom materials, and other school needs.
- Volunteer: Parents and community members are encouraged to volunteer during special events or workdays.
- Leave a review: If you or our kid(s) have ever attended a program, camp, family discovery day, you could leave us a review on google and/or facebook and share your experience for others to read.
- Spread the Word: Share your experience with friends and family, and help us grow our community of outdoor learners.
11. What is the Cedarsong Way Forest School pedagogy
The Cedarsong Way teaching pedagogy is built on several defining pillars that shape its approach to early childhood education:
- Place-Based Nature Immersion – Children spend extended periods of unstructured time outdoors with hands-on experience of seasonal cycles and all weather conditions, fostering a deep friendly connection to the natural community where they live.
- Child-Led FLOW Learning & Emergent Curriculum – There is no predetermined curriculum; instead, educators follow the child's interests and curiosity, guiding learning, offering invitations and provocations, through inquiry-based exploration, and building on what children know.
- Unstructured Play – Play emerges naturally from children’s interests, discoveries, and interaction with the land, and is recognized as essential for cognitive, social, and emotional development. allowing Children to learn naturally through hands-on experiences and interactions with class members, as well as other living beings.
- Documentation of Learning – Through active observation of play and exploration, educators notice and make note of children's individual and group development through the domains of learning. This allows educators to support children and convey relevant information to parents and caregivers, as well as other stakeholders.
- Social-Emotional Growth – Compassion scaffolding helps children develop the ability to self-regulate, cooperate, and hone problem-solving skills, and cooperation through interactions with peers, educators, and all living beings in a natural setting.
- Educator as Mentor, Observer, and Co-learner, and Model – Educators facilitate learning by observing, asking open-ended questions, and supporting children’s discoveries rather than directing activities. By encouraging their innate curiosity, educators help students develop critical thinking skills, as well as confidence in themselves as lifelong learners. And by modeling playful, curious learning educators offer ideas and suggestions to students.
- Seasonal and Weather Resilience – The belief that there is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing choices encourages children to experience all seasons, building adaptability and resilience.
- Environmental Stewardship – Children develop a lifelong respect for nature through firsthand experiences, fostering empathy and responsibility for the environment.
These pillars create a holistic, child-centered learning environment that promotes curiosity, confidence, and a lasting bond with the natural world.
12. What is the history of the Cedarsong Way?
The Cedarsong Way® pedagogy was developed by Erin Kenny and Robin Rogers in the early 2000s. Inspired by the Scandinavian forest school model, Kenny and Rogers established Cedarsong Nature School in Washington State, one of the first nature-immersed preschools in the U.S. Over time, they refined the child-led, unstructured outdoor learning approach, which became the foundation of the Cedarsong Way®. This pedagogy gained recognition for its focus on social-emotional development, resilience, and environmental stewardship, influencing the growth of forest schools worldwide.
The Cedarsong Way pedagogy continues to evolve with the appreciative support of many natural educators, parents, children and others dedicated to promoting children's development through nature experiences. Asheville Farmstead School led the pilot program of in-person training at accredited Cedarsong Way schools.
Today, the Cedarsong Way® consists of online and in-person teacher training programs, including a newly developed therapeutic track, weekly online conversations, school accreditation, learning modules, and books.
The Cedarsong Way continues to inspire educators globally, promoting outdoor learning as essential for childhood development.
13. Who is Erin Kenny and what are her lasting impacts on the forest school movement?
Erin Kenny, Co-founder of The Cedarsong Way and the Director of Cedarsong Nature School for 11 years until her passing. She is known for her enthusiastic active engagement with children and nature and for several impactful quotes that reflect her philosophy on nature-based education and child development. Some of her most famous quotes include:
- "There is no bad weather, only bad clothing."
– A core belief of the Cedarsong Way®
– emphasizing the importance of outdoor play in all seasons. - "Children cannot bounce off the walls if we take away the walls."
– Highlighting the benefits of open, natural spaces, natural light, and fresh air for children's energy and creativity. - "Nature immersion is not just a method of teaching; it is a way of being."
– Reinforcing the idea that deep, daily engagement with nature fosters lifelong learning and connection. - "Unstructured play in nature is the most developmentally appropriate way for young children to learn."
– Advocating for child-led, exploratory learning as the foundation of early education. - "When children learn to love nature, they will grow up wanting to protect it."
– Emphasizing the role of nature immersion in fostering environmental stewardship.
These quotes encapsulate Kenny’s dedication to child-led, nature-based learning and her belief in its transformative power for children's well-being and development.
She authored Forest Kindergarten, The Cedarsong Way based on her early experiences with Cedarsong Nature School. She was inspired to invite those interested in this model to come to the school to observe and train firsthand in starting their own nature-based program, which led to further development of Cedarsong Way Teacher Training.
Teaching the Cedarsong Way: Lessons from an award-winning Forest Kindergarten, and Nature Notes Journal: Documenting Your Emergent Curriculum, co-authored by Erin and Robin, continue to serve as valuable resources for educators seeking to implement nature-based, child-led learning.
14. Who is Robin Rogers and what is her lasting impact on the forest school movement
Robin Rogers is an American naturalist and early childhood educator who co-founded Cedarsong Nature School in 2007 alongside Erin Kenny. Together, they established the first forest kindergarten in the United States, drawing inspiration from the German Waldkindergarten model.
Rogers was influential in developing The Cedarsong Way® Nature Pedagogy, and the Cedarsong Way in-person teacher training program. She worked with a team of educators to develop the online teacher training to closely align as possible with the original in-person experiential training.
Robin Rogers' lasting impact on the forest school movement lies in her pioneering work in integrating nature immersion with early childhood education, thereby inspiring a generation of educators to adopt and adapt forest kindergarten principles across the United States.