{"id":3509,"date":"2022-11-15T14:56:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-15T06:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/blog\/?p=3509"},"modified":"2022-11-15T14:56:00","modified_gmt":"2022-11-15T06:56:00","slug":"your-guide-to-forest-schools-in-hong-kong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/blog\/your-guide-to-forest-schools-in-hong-kong\/","title":{"rendered":"Your guide to forest schools in Hong Kong"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today\u2019s parents are spoilt for choice when it comes to their child\u2019s education. Whether it\u2019s the curriculum the school follows, their teaching philosophy, the student-to-teacher ratio, the extracurricular activities on offer, and more, you can tailor your little one\u2019s learning experience. To add to the mix, forest schools are also emerging as a new and popular option amongst parents of kindergarteners in Hong Kong. Yes, you read that right!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pacific Prime Hong Kong<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> article, we\u2019ll go over everything you need to know about forest schools.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><div class='code-block code-block-3' style='margin: 8px 0; clear: both;'>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/compare-quotes\/step-one\/?campSource=PPHK-Blog&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=content_banner&utm_campaign=Blog_Banner&utm_content=family\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1282 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pacificprime.hk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/WP-Banner-revamp-final-20221207_3.-Family-final.jpg?resize=700%2C303&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Family health insurance banner\" width=\"700\" height=\"303\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is a forest school?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you hate the idea of your energetic kiddo being trapped in a classroom, then you\u2019ll like the idea of a forest school. This is a long-term outdoor education process that is holistic and learner-led, allowing children to develop through healthy engagement with risk, problem-solving, and self-discovery in a natural environment. Through essentially playing and exploring, children get to challenge and empower themselves in deeper ways, and grow to become independent and resilient learners.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Besides the main difference of being located outdoors, here are some distinctive features of a forest school compared to a conventional school:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Forest schools are less noisy than classrooms due to their open space, which can reduce stress in both children and staff.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Forest schools have very high student-to-teacher ratios* so children can safely experience activities like climbing trees or lighting a fire.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Forest schools give children freedom and autonomy to explore the outdoor area, helping them manage their own safety and move around comfortably.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Forest schools focus on playing with objects found in nature, rather than commercially-produced toys, and stimulate their imagination.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*Note that adult supervision in the majority of forest schools is merely to assist students as opposed to leading them.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Forest schools in Hong Kong<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Forest schools were first developed in Denmark in the 1950s, and then spread all over Europe, the US, and Asia &#8211; including in Hong Kong. While the SAR is notorious for its highly competitive education landscape and the concept of forest schools haven\u2019t taken root in its public schools, parents will be glad to know that there are some options in the private and international school sector.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As one of the first schools in Hong Kong to operate a Forest-Beach School program, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.malvernpreschool.hk\/world-leading-forest-school\/#:~:text=Malvern%20College%20Pre%2DSchool%20Hong%20Kong%20is%20one%20of%20the,in%20all%20safe%20weather%20conditions.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offers a program built on a philosophy of child-led learning, with a focus on all five senses, and runs in all safe weather conditions. Other forest school options in the SAR include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dbis.edu.hk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discovery Bay International School<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/foresthouse.edu.hk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Forest House Waldorf School\/Garden House Kindergarten and Pre-school<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ichkhly.edu.hk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">International College Hong Kong (ICHK) Hong Lok Yuen<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wilderness.asia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wilderness International Kindergarten<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do children learn better in forest schools?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For many parents and educators, forest schools are the way to go. Many studies also back this up. Time spent outdoors has the potential to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0272494417300737\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">improve children\u2019s attention skills<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and that playing in nature <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/journals.plos.org\/plosone\/article?id=10.1371\/journal.pone.0229006\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">encourages physical activity and imaginative play<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Additionally, adding natural elements such as grass, trees, logs, and mulch to play time also <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.contemporarypediatrics.com\/view\/nature-play-prescription-healthier-children\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reduces conflicts between children<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, whilst running and climbing up tree trunks <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/336811920_A_Phenomenological_Study_on_the_School_Concept_of_the_Children_Attending_the_Forest_School\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">develops their strength and coordination.\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/marjon.repository.guildhe.ac.uk\/id\/eprint\/10203\/1\/Leather_JOEE%2026-Sep-16%20v2.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">not everyone is in agreement<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> over the merits of forest schools. Some people believe that the popularity of forest schools around the world could make them lose their original philosophy, which is one based on experiencing freedom by connecting with nature, and that cultural and geographical sensitivity must be considered when opening up and operating forest schools in different countries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get in touch with Pacific Prime Hong Kong today!<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parents often want the best education for their child, but part of being able to learn and grow is being healthy. This means making sure your child has a good pediatrician and goes for all their routine vaccinations and checkups, as well as has access to top-notch healthcare facilities should the need arise. With healthcare being so expensive in Hong Kong, it\u2019s a wise move to secure health insurance for your child (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/insurance-plans\/family-insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and the rest of the family<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">!).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you don\u2019t know where to begin in your hunt for health insurance, you\u2019ve come to the right place. As a global health insurance brokerage, with over two decades of industry experience, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pacific Prime Hong Kong<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> helps individuals and families like yourself find the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/insurance-plans\/family-insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">most suitable health plan for your needs and budget<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. We pride ourselves in our ability to \u201csimplify insurance\u201d and provide ample support and assistance throughout your entire insurance journey.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/pp-contact-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contact us today<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to get started!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><div class='code-block code-block-6' style='margin: 8px 0; clear: both;'>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.hk\/compare-quotes\/step-one\/?campSource=PPHK-Blog&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=cta_banner&utm_campaign=Blog_Banner&utm_content=quote\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-1279\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.pacificprime.hk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/HK-BANNER-Couple.jpg?resize=700%2C303&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Get a quote banner\" width=\"700\" height=\"303\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Today\u2019s parents are spoilt for choice when it comes to their child\u2019s education. Whether it\u2019s the curriculum the school follows, their teaching philosophy, the student-to-teacher ratio, the extracurricular activities on offer, and more, you can tailor your little one\u2019s learning experience. To add to the mix, forest schools are also emerging as a new and &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":3510,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2},"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[615,2],"tags":[793,2845,791,2844,40,171],"class_list":["post-3509","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-family-insurance","category-insurance","tag-ban_fam","tag-children-education","tag-cta_gen","tag-forest-schools","tag-health-insurance","tag-pacific-prime-hong-kong"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- 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