• The "forest schools", born in the 1950s in Denmark, offer children an outdoor education, to learn better while connecting to nature.

  • This pedagogical model, which is very popular in Scandinavia and Germany, is gradually breaking through in France: an association has launched a crowdfunding campaign to open one at the start of the school year, near Lyon.

  • The educational team insists on the fact that children will be able to develop multiple skills there, in complete safety, in addition to strengthening their health.

If no one teaches children to love nature, nature can teach many things to children.

The "forest schools", alternative schools in the middle of nature, appeared in Denmark in the 1950s: by swapping the classroom for a clearing, the pupils are more attentive, more fulfilled.

Very fashionable in Scandinavia and Germany, they are timidly breaking through in France, with around forty schools listed.

A Rhone association, Les Voies de la Forêt, plans to open one at the start of the next school year in the Monts du Lyonnais.

"The basis is pedagogy by nature", explains Nina Kleinsz, future director of the establishment.

The principle is that “the children spend as much time as possible outside, and therefore that instruction time takes place outside.

Throughout the year, in all weathers, equipping yourself according to the weather.

For this neuropsychologist, "it is important that children create a link with nature, but also with the rhythm of the seasons, that they experience them with their bodies".

A standard location and teaching

A farmer has made available to the association 60 hectares of fenced forest, without roads, as well as an old goat farm intended to shelter the children in the event of very bad weather.

This shelter requires renovation and upgrading work: a call for donations is open until April 20 to finance them.

The school would house two classes of ten children each: a group of 3 to 6 years old, and another of 7 to 11 years old.

This mix of ages will therefore sometimes be accompanied by a mix of programs.

"In France, alternative schools must follow the National Education program, while a private school remains free in its choices, its methods and its teaching aids", specifies Nina Kleinsz, "but the children will have to acquire the same common base.

A child who leaves this school at the end of the school year can join a “classic” one afterwards.

"We don't just let them play in the forest, they will have the same knowledge!"

“, assures the teacher.

For example, in a forest school, to the courses is added “the free play in pedagogy by nature.

The children freely follow their desires of the moment, which the teachers identify to then adapt the instruction times.

If they're building a cabin, we're going to get into the physics.

If they collect insects, the natural sciences… We can also do geometry in the forest, by calculating the size of a tree for example.

Starting from the concrete is very important.

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Physical, cognitive and behavioral benefits

Studies have confirmed the multiple benefits of such a school environment.

First for the physical health of children, who are increasingly sedentary.

"In terms of psychomotor development, for the youngest, running or walking outside requires other skills than walking on a concrete yard or landscaped squares," adds Nina Kleinsz.

The older ones are more attentive to others: “being in a group outside also develops collaboration, communication, critical thinking”.

As for the teachers too, “when you teach outside, it's calmer, contrary to what you might think, there's less stress!

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Finally, the benefits will indirectly affect the protection of biodiversity.

"By knowing nature, children will create a strong emotional bond with it, which will lead them to want to protect it", remarks Nina Kleinsz.

“By creating these opportunities to spend a lot of time outdoors, we hope that this will help create a generation that will be more naturally connected with the living.

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  • Company

  • Primary school

  • Education

  • Pedagogy

  • Child

  • Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes