Analytic Commentary- The analytic commentary will be a succinct Essay

Analytic Commentary- The analytic commentary will be a succinct evaluative piece of writing which identifies the main features o - Essay Example Such alarms have been associated with problems such as the wearing away of suitable play areas (Rivkin, 1998); the growth in ‘stranger dangers’ (Valentine & McKendrick, 1997); the shift towards more home-centered leisure activities founded on television and video games (Clements, 2004); and the growth in childhood obesity (Ebbeling et al., 2002). At the same time, concerns have been communicated about the perceived over-formalization of children’s early educational experiences. Unsurprisingly, then, early years teachers are now being asked to initiate a more experiential, play-based approach to learning which integrates a greater use of the outdoor environment (DfES, 2007). One way in which schools are supporting children’s play and learning in the outdoor environment is through participation in ‘Forest School’. Forest School has been defined by the Forest School England network as: An inspirational process that offers children, young people an d adults regular opportunities to achieve, and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland environment. (Murray, & O’Brien, 2005) The university that was visited for the Forest School is known for its open space that comprised of places where children could freely move and participate in various physical activities. It included areas where children with the help of their imagination could create stories that would help in the development of cognitive abilities, spaces that would protect from rain and sunlight, provide opportunities for challenges and contact with nature. Numerous researches have supported the advantages of learning in the natural environment and maintained that children need to play, to experience space, movement and sensory stimulation for healthy development (Knight, 2009; Maynard, 2007). The Forest School experience endorses sensory child-led outdoor play, supporting and stimulating curiosity and absorption. Wilso n (2008) indicates that the natural world along with its amazing rich sources of sensory stimulation, offers countless opportunities to experience beauty. It can therefore serve as a perfect source for aesthetic development of children. The present environment provided children with a range of opportunities for natural sensory experiences which is also illustrated in form of photographs in Appendix A. The components of nature were discovered through dynamic activities focusing on the wonders of nature felt through the senses (Forest School Norfolk, 2009). The sense of smell was experienced through flowers, soil and wood that were discovered in Forest School. The sense of seeing was fulfilled by the colors of nature, variety of insects and plant life. The colourful insects at the site greatly attracted the children as one of them even asked if he could touch the centipede to have a close look. Similarly, various textures such as smooth grass, barks and gravel path offered stimulus fo r their sense of touch. In addition, chirping of the birds, quacking of the ducks, snapping twigs and moving water provided stimulus for their auditory senses. On the other hand, the sense of taste was fulfilled by providing children with hot chocolate and biscuits for snacks. The environment provided inspiration for all senses including visual, auditory and