What to Expect 

A Typical Session

• Upon arrival in the forest you’ll be greeted and we will sign you in. You can explore the environment and settle in whilst everyone arrives.

• We will start the session with a welcome song and a reminder of the forest school rules. 

• Then it’s off to play and explore! 

• There will be an adult led activity if your child is interested, but you are welcome to follow their lead and interact with some of the other ‘invitations to play’ that we have available.  

• Some of the resources available to you during the session include: a reading nook, muddy play/potion mixing area, mark making and role play opportunities, den building and sensory opportunites.

• There will be a chance to learn about the different plants and animals in the woods and to learn a bit more about the world around us. 

• For the last ten minutes, we will gather back around the log circle to hear what you’ve been up to in the woods, read a story and sing some songs before saying goodbye!

• Tea and coffee will be available so bring your flask along. 

• There will be squash, biscuits and fruit slices available too. 

Dogs and other service users:

Although we have an agreed space to use within The Ridings, the remaining woodland and surrounding field is open to the public, so there may be walkers and dog owners nearby. There will be signs around the Ridings to make our presence known and some natural boundries have been created, along with rope and cones. At Forest School we teach the children to 'stand like a stick' with their arms by their side, if a dog comes into the site. We stay this way until they have been called back by their owner or they walk on by. 

Dogs are not permitted at our Forest School sessions. 

Beth is a qualified Primary School Teacher and Forest School leader, with many years of experience teaching children in both primary school and Early Years settings, including  her current role in an outdoor kindergarten. It was while teaching in Reception that she discovered her love for forest school, and noticed the impact of nature and its ability to help regulate, inspire and nurture children. 

She created Wild Kin to provide a space for children and adults to find time together in the woods; to explore, play, connect and relax. 

Beth loves hiking, sewing, and cycling adventures as well as finding a quiet spot to read in a hammock! She lives in Bristol with her husband and 3 year old son, who will both be attending our sessions in the forest!

Forest school is a child centred learning process that takes place in a woodland or other natural environment. It focusses on providing opportunities for children to explore, play, learn and grow, whilst taking supported risks and challenging themselves through real, hands on experiences. Ideally, Forest School is based on a series of sessions which help the child to develop through the seasons. 

The Forest School ethos is inspired by the outdoor kindergartens which originated in Scandinavia, and was brought to the UK in 1993.