Nature is a powerful force when it comes to the well-being of children and adults alike. Being a school settled in a suburban area, it is our mission to find and bring nature to children in any way we can. Luckily for us, we found the perfect space located behind our Nature Lab, Art Studio, and Tinkering. We created a space enmeshed in the trees to form our version of the woods, which we named The Enchanted Forest.
The idea behind the Enchanted Forest stems from the Japanese concept of ‘forest bathing’ and the importance of nature immersion. This is an area of the school where the built environment fades away into the background and nature is center stage. Children are encouraged to slow down and awaken the senses, watch the butterflies flutter, and smell the pine trees.
“Play is so important and joy is so important. We can always keep playing in the enchanted forest.” Dr. Gabor Mate
The area we chose to build on was already home to mature pine trees. We used those as our jumping-off point and added other native plants and trees for the children to wander through and explore. Child-sized paths were created through the area, and interesting rocks and bark were strategically placed to encourage wonder. We implemented ancestral building elements such as a log teepee and a rock spiral to inspire peace, meditation, and ceremony. Overlooking the space is a yoga deck where we plan to host our monthly family yoga classes and our children’s yoga and dance classes. There is also a meeting place in the middle of the forest where classes can go and do their circle time, read books, or learn about the nature surrounding them.
Immersing ourselves in nature has endless benefits, such as reducing anxiety, enhancing the immune system, and boosting self-esteem and mood. The Enchanted Forest gives children the opportunity to quiet down, relax, and connect with nature and themselves.
