Teaching children outside is all in!

SLIGO Woodland School is the first of its kind in Sligo and is part of a relatively new movement in Ireland.

Studies have shown that obesity amongst young children in Ireland is on the rise and while parents are responding to these concerns and an indoor play culture, ‘ Outdoor Schools’ or outdoor learning may be seen as an answer to some of these problems.

Trisha MacLaughlin founder of the Sligo Woodland School and qualified forest school leader explains why outdoor learning is just as important as indoor learning.

“Children become healthier, more engaged, they allow their creativity and imagination to flow and establish connectivity with others. They become more sociable and emotionally resilient. With indoor learning children learn right and wrong, outdoors there is no right and wrong you just do something and see how it works out,” said Trisha.

“I run 4- 6 week outdoor educational sessions with children from 3- 11 years and cover Bushcraft skills, den building, planting and potting flowers, plant identification and other education fun activities,” she said. The Outdoor learning approach was inspired by studies done in Scandinavia where it showed outdoor learning in school contexts had positive benefits.

On Wednesday ( March 22nd) the award- winning documentary “NaturePlay – Take Childhood Back” will have its first screening in Ireland at IT Sligo from 7- 9pm.

The film focuses on teaching practices around young children and shows the incredible ways that nature, play and education can work together in harmony to raise smarter, happier, healthier, and stronger children. The film is supported by the Sligo County Childcare Committee and the Irish Forest School Association and will be opened by Mayor Marie Casserly with Guest speakers Joan Mc Grath from Sligo County Childcare Committee and Sally O’Donnell, founder of Ireland’s first outdoor school.

All parents, practitioners, students and interested people are welcome. This is a free showing. For more information contact Trisha on 087- 7474189 or email: sligowoodlandschool@ gmail. com

Children from Cosy Cats preschool taking part in Sligo Woodland School field trip at Cleveragh recently. The concept is becoming increasingly popular in Ireland.