Why Forest School?
Hi there, my name is Courtney and I am a dreamer… but before that I was a super overwhelmed new mom.
My child was diagnosed at a very young age with “severe adhd.” Even as an infant, the only way to calm them was to go outside and walk. Continuously. For hours. Following the diagnosis, I dove into research. I found scientific studies to back up the correlations between being in nature and decreased adhd symptoms. I discovered that traditional early childhood education in the United States was quite different to the Danish and Swedish practices. After much reading, I was sold. I wanted a childhood for my kids surrounded by nature where they could be wild and adventurous. So, I went online to find a forest school nearby… and found nothing. I lamented the lack of accessibility to a nature program for years. As an educator, I saw the physical, emotional and mental decline of students, particularly in regard to their attention spans, impulse control and problem-solving abilities (all of which research shows are improved by spending time outdoors). Finally, and serendipitously, the opportunity arose to create the program I so desperately wanted for my children, as well as others in the community.
Bluebonnet Forest School is the area’s first true forest school. Children learn outdoors, surrounded by Native Texas Prairie, Post Oak Savannah and Hardwood Forest and all of the wildlife that calls them home. Following the examples set by Scandinavian and European models, Bluebonnet Forest School programs are holistic, play-based and child-led. The programs emphasize building self-confidence through taking calculated risks, creativity, problem solving, and social skills. Time spent in the outdoors fosters a sense of love and respect for nature that contributes to a desire to protect the land and act as stewards and conservationists.
Every day we make sure we follow our philosophy to:
Take Care of Ourselves.
Take Care of Each Other.
Take Care of Nature.
We look forward to seeing you outside!
Recommended Reading/Resources:
Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods, 2005.
Linda Åkeson McGurk, There’s No Such Thing As Bad Weather, 2017.
Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass, 2013.
Carl Sherman, Ph.D., How Green Time Promotes Better Focus
Karen Barrow, Go Take a Hike! (No, Really, It Helps.)
