Forest Schools 森林学校

重庆市垫江第四中学 夏 权

Forest Schools originated in Sweden in the 1950s and spread to other countries,particularly Denmark where they have become an important part of the Danish early years'program.

In a typical Danish Forest School,young children from 3 years old are taken into the forest for 4 hours each day of the week.They take no toys with them,but instead use only what the forest provides(and their imagination)to develop their games.There is a primitive hut in the forest,which is used in extreme weather.Activities are child-led and fun,such as finding small animals.Because of being taken good care of by adults,children can safely try activities which are often considered too dangerous,such as climbing trees or lighting fire,and by being dressed in good protective clothing,they are able to play freely.By setting children small manageable tasks in which they are unlikely to fail,and giving praise,children's independence and confidence grow.

A Swedish scientific study found that children in the Forest School are more balanced and socially capable,have fewer sick days,are more able to concentrate and have better coordination than the city nursery (幼儿园)children.The primary reason appeared to be the greater opportunities to play in nature,so that children play longer at a time,so they don't disturb each other as much as children in the city nursery.The study observed that when children were disturbed,they became easy to get angry,their stress level rose,and their ability to concentrate fell.

The study also showed that the Forest School children had 25% fewer sick days than the city children.One reason for this is that the air is nearly always better outside than indoors.Another reason may be that,since stress has been shown to have a negative effect on the immune system,high stress levels may be weakening the city children.The Forest School children,on the other hand,are in a pleasant,natural,fun and less stressful environment.

Reading Check

1.Why is there a primitive hut in the forest?

A.To let children have fun in the hut.

B.To store daily necessities in the hut.

C.To enrich children's imagination.

D.To protect children from bad weather.

2.What kind of activities can the Forest School children try?

A.Activities with fun and a little danger.

B.Activities designed for adults and kids.

C.Activities to improve children's grades.

D.Activities usually played by braver kids.

3.Why are the Forest School children more able to concentrate?

A.They are not disturbed so often.

B.They are playing in small groups.

C.They have more interesting things to do.

D.They are protected and helped by adults.

4.In which column is this text likely to appear?

A.Travel. B.Sport. C.Education. D.Commerce.

Language Study

Difficult sentence

By setting children small manageable tasks in which they are unlikely to fail,and giving praise,children's independence and confidence grow.

【翻译】_____________________________________________________________________________

【点石成金】这里的By setting children small manageable tasks and giving praise是“by+动名词”结构，在句中作方式状语。in which they are unlikely to fail是“介词+关系代词”引导的限制性定语从句。