Today we would like to talk about what makes us who we are! We like to call it “seeds” of our pedagogy. We know, and we believe you know that too, that our position in the education industry in Hong Kong is very special. We let kids get dirty, run around, climb trees, make mistakes… And we love it just as much as our young visitors. But to explain where our pedagogy is coming from is not easy, especially if there is no previous experience with forest learning. So we have created this little table that you may know from our website’s main page, to quickly and simply show, who we are.
Tactile Play in Nature
That is probably the first thing parents and children realize on their very first visit to our program. We play in nature and we do not stay on the clean, bounded paths. Instead, we touch the trees and the ants and get dirty when climbing up the rope and we are SUPER excited if we see some mud. Touch is an important part of the play in nature, it helps to develop motor skills, develops the nervous system, and encourages problem-solving skills and curiosity.
Risk Encounters
We are happy to see kids making mistakes and taking tries because we know that if they are to figure out something by themselves, they need to go through errors. We support them on this journey and encourage them to take (small) risks on the way.
Teachers and Parents Step Back
Coming to HKFA it may be a different view opposite to other educational centers in Hong Kong. The children are the active ones, leading, discovering, and being able to influence the program. Teachers, on the other hand, give them the space to do so, observe, and are ready to help. We give the time and space to the children to discover all sorts of things, including their true nature.
Development of Body and Mind
Climbing the trees and rope activities are some real challenges for little kids! For some, even climbing up a big wooden box is something extraordinary. At HKFA, they develop their motor skills, balance, spatial awareness, strength, and coordination. But being outside in the forest also benefits their both physical and mental health. Forest naturally takes care of the body, heart, and brain.
Are you a fan of our pedagogical approach? Let us know in the comments!