Ep 190: The Art of Saying No at Forest School

Are we doing our children a disservice by always saying "yes"? In this thought-provoking episode of The Forest School Podcast, hosts Lewis and Wem dive deep into the complexities of creating a balanced learning environment in outdoor education. They explore the concept of a "yes environment" and its potential pitfalls, drawing inspiration from Suzanne Axelson's work. But what does this mean for your forest school practice? How can you strike the right balance between freedom and structure? The hosts discuss the importance of modeling appropriate responses to frustration and disappointment. Are you equipping your learners with the tools to handle life's inevitable "no's"? Lewis and Wem also touch on the fascinating differences in how boys and girls are taught to express disagreement. How might this impact your approach to teaching emotional regulation in the outdoors? This episode offers valuable insights for both new and experienced forest school practitioners. How will you apply these ideas to create a more nuanced and effective learning environment? Remember to visit theforestschoolpodcast.com for more resources and to join the conversation! Chapter Titles & Timing: 0:00 - Introduction: The 'Yes' Environment Dilemma 5:03 - Modeling 'No': A Delicate Balance 12:28 - The Squirrel Interruption: Nature's Reminder 18:41 - Emotional Responses in Different Settings 27:26 - Designing Spaces for Authenticity 34:25 - When Adults Lose Control: Modeling Recovery 38:20 - Conclusion: Risk-Assessing Your 'Yeses' For more in-depth discussions on forest school practices, head over to theforestschoolpodcast.com. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review if you found this episode valuable! Looking to dive deeper into these concepts? Visit theforestschoolpodcast.com for exclusive content and resources to enhance your forest school practice.