A chat with my sister Chelsea where we reflect on the role of outdoor play in our lives as children growing up in Hawaii, and how that nurtured our relationships to the natural world and each other. And also how our experiences differ from many children now, and ways we’re working to foster these relationships for children in a “modern” world. ---- I bet if everyone who reads this post left a comment describing one of the ways they loved to play as a child (or adult!), there would be a lot of similar answers... Why? Because PLAY IS WHAT MAKES US HUMAN. I’ve been really lucky to have had the chance to live in lots of different places, climates, and countries. And along with all the incredible differences in language, culture, appearances, and customs one thing that always reminds me that we are all ultimately human is... the way we play. Isn’t it interesting how 5 year olds in the tropics growing up a couple decades ago loved making "mud soup" from leaves and soil JUST LIKE five year olds today living in a cold northern climate? My sister, Chelsea, and I are went live on Instagram for a fun little chat about the outdoor play experiences we remember from our childhood growing up in Hawaii, how that nurtured our relationships to the natural world and each other, and the similarities/differences many children experience today. And for more ideas on simple ways to find connection, check out this blog post: https://www.forestschooled.com/post/reframing-the-meaning-of-community-in-changing-times ---- https://www.forestschooled.com Instagram: @forestschooled

I'm excited to introduce you all to my sister. Her name is Chelsea and during our family video call catch-ups over the weeks, it dawned on us that there's some decent overlap in our work... so we thought we'd make a video together discussing some of the things we've been talking about so we can share it with all of you too. Some video highlights include: - a glimpse into our lives growing up in Hawaii! - why we both love nature and the outdoors and what role it plays in our lives today - the power of stories and storytelling in celebrating diversity and creating inclusive communities - more information about some children's books you may like to add to your collection! Get in touch with Chelsea here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chelseas-Book-Nook-104906674411524 Instagram: @look.inna.book Looking for more resources on inclusive storytelling? Download this free PDF - Inclusive Storytelling Checklist for Parents & Educators: https://bit.ly/36X5ZOn You can also check out this workshop recording on Place-based and Inclusive Storytelling with Forest Schooled*: https://forestschooled.podia.com/introduction-to-place-based-and-inclusive-storytelling *Pay what you can option available!*

As we move into this “new normal” we’ll likely need hand sanitizer, and physical distancing measures, perhaps masks… and we’ll also need stories. Because stories help us all, young and old, to process our experiences, to understand the world around us, and to heal. Stories are important. And stories need storytellers. For those who joined the Storytelling Livestream weekly events over the past few months, you got to hear many of our stories… the stories we write and share with children and families to create meaning and connection with each other and the natural world. But we have even more stories! And those are our stories of how we each “became” a storyteller. When Danny, Chris, and I started the livestreams in March we didn’t really know where it would take us. And as more storytellers from around the world joined our community we noticed that the events became most meaningful for educators and practitioners, helping them to feel inspired and build confidence with their own storytelling. We often commented throughout our hour (or longer..) videos each week that “We are all storytellers” and so we wanted to take the chance to expand upon this. Do you have questions about storytelling? Are you curious about how we each came to identify ourselves as storytellers? Would you like to know more about us, our work, and resources that can help us all deepen our understanding of storytelling and connection to the natural world? Then please join us for an interactive discussion where we six storytellers (Caylin, Danny, Chris, Teague, Landere, and Luke) will each talk a little bit about our journey to “becoming a storyteller” as well as a little more information about what we each do and what resources we have to share with you! Please also come with questions you have about storytelling. What would help YOU become a more confident storyteller? We’ll do our best to support you :) Also if you missed our previous Storytelling Livestreams, you can catch up with this playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLO39Nz21wV3vlBX9dyecp8-TSOIhvHlzT

This week we're introducing a new SPECIAL GUEST! Luke Funnell will be joining us from Project Rewild, Hastings, UK. Teague Urquhart and Landere Naisbitt, our special guests in previous weeks, will also be making another appearance! Caylin Gans (Forest Schooled) has teamed up with Chris Holland (Chris Holland's Storytelling, nature connection & playful outdoor learning.) and Danny English (Communitree Outdoor Education Specialists and We Be Kids) to offer you a free storytelling livestream event! Join us on Wednesdays 11am EST/4pm BST, to listen to stories told by 3 or more storytellers aimed to inspire our connection to nature, from within our own homes! The event is for children, families, and educators who may want to inspire their own storytelling practice. Note: Take care when integrating Indigenous stories into your storytelling practice. Many traditional tales are not sanctioned for use outside of Indigenous communities. Make sure that the story has been shared/not stolen. The following are a few recommendations : ○ Research how the story was traditionally used/by what tribe and share this with group ○ Provide background/bigger picture context ○ Ask learners to consider what the the story means (Guidance from: The University of British Columbia. (2018). Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education. Retrieved from https://www.edx.org/course/reconciliation-through-indigenous-education-1) To watch recordings of previous livestreams, head here: Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4gU6XIEdOo Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWmUWDBnBl4 Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MViqOQi0AfE Part 4 (Earth Day special!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNBKbXxRonU Part 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDKUO2XbnUE Part 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olD0THV3uUw Part 7: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0iHoqSM_vs Can't wait :) Please feel free to connect with us before or after the event too! Caylin Gans http://www.forestschooled.com Chris Holland http://www.wholeland.org.uk http://www.natureconnection.co.uk Danny English http://www.communitree.com http://www.webekids.net Teague Urquhart http://www.commondigs.com Landere Naisbitt http://www.bluehillheritagetrust.org Luke Funnell https://www.projectrewild.co.uk/

This week we're introducing a new SPECIAL GUEST! Landere Naisbitt will be joining us from Blue Hill Heritage Trust, Maine, USA. Teague, our special guest last week, will also be making another appearance! Caylin Gans (Forest Schooled) has teamed up with Chris Holland (Chris Holland's Storytelling, nature connection & playful outdoor learning.) and Danny English (Communitree Outdoor Education Specialists and We Be Kids) to offer you a free storytelling livestream event! Join us on Wednesdays 11am EST/4pm BST, to listen to stories told by 3 or more storytellers aimed to inspire our connection to nature, from within our own homes! The event is for children, families, and educators who may want to inspire their own storytelling practice. Note: Take care when integrating Indigenous stories into your storytelling practice. Many traditional tales are not sanctioned for use outside of Indigenous communities. Make sure that the story has been shared/not stolen. The following are a few recommendations : ○ Research how the story was traditionally used/by what tribe and share this with group ○ Provide background/bigger picture context ○ Ask learners to consider what the the story means (Guidance from: The University of British Columbia. (2018). Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education. Retrieved from https://www.edx.org/course/reconciliation-through-indigenous-education-1) To watch recordings of previous livestreams, head here: Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4gU6XIEdOo Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWmUWDBnBl4 Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MViqOQi0AfE Part 4 (Earth Day special!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNBKbXxRonU Part 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDKUO2XbnUE Part 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olD0THV3uUw Can't wait :) Please feel free to connect with us before or after the event too! Caylin Gans http://www.forestschooled.com Chris Holland http://www.wholeland.org.uk http://www.natureconnection.co.uk Danny English http://www.communitree.com http://www.webekids.net Teague Urquhart http://www.commondigs.com Landere Naisbitt http://www.bluehillheritagetrust.org

This week we're introducing a new SPECIAL GUEST! Teague Urquhart will be joining us from Common Digs Forest and Nature School in Calgary, Canada. Caylin Gans (Forest Schooled) has teamed up with Chris Holland (Chris Holland's Storytelling, nature connection & playful outdoor learning) and Danny English (Communitree Outdoor Education Specialists and We Be Kids) to offer you a free storytelling livestream event! Join us on May 6th, 11am EST/4pm BST, to listen to 3 stories told by 3 storytellers aimed to inspire our connection to nature, from within our own homes! The event is for children, families, and educators who may want to inspire their own storytelling practice. Note: Take care when integrating Indigenous stories into your storytelling practice. Many traditional tales are not sanctioned for use outside of Indigenous communities. Make sure that the story has been shared/not stolen. The following are a few recommendations : ○ Research how the story was traditionally used/by what tribe and share this with group ○ Provide background/bigger picture context ○ Ask learners to consider what the the story means (Guidance from: The University of British Columbia. (2018). Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education. Retrieved from https://www.edx.org/course/reconciliation-through-indigenous-education-1) To watch recordings of previous livestreams, head here: Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4gU6XIEdOo Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWmUWDBnBl4 Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MViqOQi0AfE Part 4 (Earth Day special!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNBKbXxRonU Part 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDKUO2XbnUE Can't wait :) Please feel free to connect with us before or after the event too! Teague Urquhart https://www.commondigs.com Caylin Gans http://www.forestschooled.com Chris Holland http://www.wholeland.org.uk http://www.natureconnection.co.uk Danny English http://www.communitree.com http://www.webekids.net

Angie couldn't join us for our livestream storytelling, but has generously shared a video recording of a beautiful story! Find out more about Angie's work with schools in Vermont, USA at https://www.luna-root.com/the-tea-project

We're making this a regular weekly thing for now - Three new stories, same time same place! Caylin Gans (Forest Schooled) has teamed up with Chris Holland (Chris Holland's Storytelling, nature connection & playful outdoor learning) and Danny English (Communitree Outdoor Education Specialists and We Be Kids) to offer you a free storytelling livestream event! Join us on April 29th, 11am EST/4pm BST, to listen to 3 stories told by 3 storytellers aimed to inspire our connection to nature, from within our own homes! The event is for children, families, and educators who may want to inspire their own storytelling practice. To watch recordings of previous livestreams, head here: Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4gU6XIEdOo Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWmUWDBnBl4 Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MViqOQi0AfE Part 4 (Earth Day special!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNBKbXxRonU Can't wait :) Please feel free to connect with us before or after the event too! Caylin Gans http://www.forestschooled.com Chris Holland http://www.wholeland.org.uk http://www.natureconnection.co.uk Danny English http://www.communitree.com http://www.webekids.net

We're making this a regular weekly thing for now - Three new stories, same time same place! Caylin Gans (Forest Schooled) has teamed up with Chris Holland (Chris Holland's Storytelling, nature connection & playful outdoor learning) and Danny English (Communitree Outdoor Education Specialists and We Be Kids) to offer you a free storytelling livestream event! Join us on EARTH DAY, April 22nd, 11am EST/4pm BST, to listen to 3 stories told by 3 storytellers aimed to inspire our connection to nature, from within our own homes! The event is for children, families, and educators who may want to inspire their own storytelling practice. To watch recordings of previous livestreams, head here: Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4gU6XIEdOo Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWmUWDBnBl4&t=2559s Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MViqOQi0AfE Can't wait :) Please feel free to connect with us before or after the event too! Caylin Gans http://www.forestschooled.com Chris Holland http://www.wholeland.org.uk http://www.natureconnection.co.uk Danny English http://www.communitree.com http://www.webekids.net

We're making this a regular weekly thing for now - Three new stories, same time same place! Caylin Gans (Forest Schooled) has teamed up with Chris Holland (Chris Holland's Storytelling, nature connection & playful outdoor learning) and Danny English (Communitree Outdoor Education Specialists and We Be Kids) to offer you a free storytelling livestream event! Join us on April 15th, 11am EST/4pm BST, to listen to 3 stories told by 3 storytellers aimed to inspire our connection to nature, from within our own homes! The event is for children, families, and educators who may want to inspire their own storytelling practice. To watch recordings of the first two livestreams, head here: Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4gU6... Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWmUWDBnBl4 Can't wait :) Please fee free to connect with us before or after the event too! Caylin Gans http://www.forestschooled.com Chris Holland http://www.wholeland.org.uk http://www.natureconnection.co.uk Danny English http://www.communitree.com http://www.webekids.net

We had so much fun doing the first one, we're doing it all again! Three new stories, same time same place! Caylin Gans (Forest Schooled) has teamed up with Chris Holland (Chris Holland's Storytelling, nature connection & playful outdoor learning) and Danny English (Communitree Outdoor Education Specialists and We Be Kids) to offer you a free storytelling livestream event! Join us on April 8th, 11am EST/4pm GMT, to listen to 3 stories told by 3 storytellers aimed to inspire our connection to nature, from within our own homes! The event is for children, families, and educators who may want to inspire their own storytelling practice. To watch the recording of the first livestream, head here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4gU6XIEdOo Note: Take care when integrating Indigenous stories into your storytelling practice. Many traditional tales are not sanctioned for use outside of Indigenous communities. Make sure that the story has been shared/not stolen. The following are a few recommendations : ○ Research how the story was traditionally used/by what tribe and share this with group ○ Provide background/bigger picture context ○ Ask learners to consider what the the story means (Guidance from: The University of British Columbia. (2018). Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education. Retrieved from https://www.edx.org/course/reconciliation-through-indigenous-education-1) Please fee free to connect with us before or after the event too! Caylin Gans http://www.forestschooled.com Chris Holland http://www.wholeland.org.uk http://www.natureconnection.co.uk Danny English http://www.communitree.com http://www.webekids.net

Caylin Gans (www.forestschooled.com) has teamed up with Chris Holland (www.wholeland.org.uk & www.natureconnection.co.uk) and Danny English (www.communitree.com & www.webekids.net) to offer you a free storytelling livestream event! Join us on April 1st, 11am EST/4pm GMT, to listen to 3 stories told by 3 storytellers aimed to inspire our connection to nature, from within our own homes! The event is for children, families, and educators who may want to inspire their own storytelling practice. Closer to the time of the event we will be releasing a link to view the video stream live! We're very excited and really hope you can join us ☺️ P.S. This is not an April fools, don't worry ;) Please fee free to connect with us after the event too! Caylin Gans www.forestschooled.com Chris Holland www.wholeland.org.uk www.natureconnection.co.uk Danny English www.communitree.com www.webekids.net

This is such a great way to practice some simple knots and end up with something incredibly rewarding and useful tool! Here's how to make a hammock with just some sticks and string :) For more detailed instructions and a downloadable 'How To' guide, head to http://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/8dd281_8290b85c28454981a4bf212a3458fbb2.pdf NOTE: The strength of your hammock will greatly depend on the strength of the sticks and string you use to make it so please test to make sure it is strong enough to bear weight before sitting and swinging in it! http://www.forestschooled.com -----------Social----------- Facebook: www.facebook.com/forestschooled Twitter: @ForestSchooled Instagram: @forestschooled Original music by Robby Miller https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNORj6Ma-325MnJ3IhdewOQ

What happens when kids are given the time and space to share their knowledge? It can really surprise us! www.forestschooled.com -----------Social----------- Facebook: www.facebook.com/forestschooled Twitter: @ForestSchooled Original music by Robby Miller https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNORj6Ma-325MnJ3IhdewOQ

A 7 year old took charge and built a swing & a ladder at Forest School. What an engineer! For the full story head here: http://bit.ly/2rddGKa www.forestschooled.com -----------Social----------- Facebook: www.facebook.com/forestschooled Twitter: @ForestSchooled

A springboard is a starting point to encourage self-directed learning and free play. This cartoon uses an example of a recent Forest School session to illustrate how child-led learning, combined with the use of springboards, can benefit learning and development. For full article on springboards, go to www.forestschooled.com/#!If-learning-is-supposed-to-be-childled-whats-my-role/cmbz/577828860cf2bcae6e466aba www.forestschooled.com -----------Social----------- Facebook: www.facebook.com/forestschooled Twitter: @ForestSchooled Original music by Robby Miller https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNORj6Ma-325MnJ3IhdewOQ

I find some dialogues I have with children during Forest School really interesting! To help articulate my thoughts about some of these conversations, I've created a video series called Muddy Learning. For full blog post introducing the series head to: http://www.forestschooled.com/single-post/2016/09/01/Muddy-Learning---Part-1 www.forestschooled.com -------------Social------------ Facebook: www.facebook.com/forestschooled Twitter: @ForestSchooled Original music by Robby Miller https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNORj6Ma-325MnJ3IhdewOQ

I find some dialogues I have with children during Forest School really interesting! To help articulate my thoughts about some of these conversations, I've created a video series called Muddy Learning. For full blog post introducing the series head to: http://www.forestschooled.com/single-post/2016/09/01/Muddy-Learning---Part-1 www.forestschooled.com -------------Social------------ Facebook: www.facebook.com/forestschooled Twitter: @ForestSchooled Original music by Robby Miller https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNORj6Ma-325MnJ3IhdewOQ

I find some dialogues I have with children during Forest School really interesting! To help articulate my thoughts about some of these conversations, I've created a video series called Muddy Learning. For full blog post introducing the series head to: http://www.forestschooled.com/single-post/2016/09/01/Muddy-Learning---Part-1 www.forestschooled.com -------------Social------------ Facebook: www.facebook.com/forestschooled Twitter: @ForestSchooled Original music by Robby Miller https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNORj6Ma-325MnJ3IhdewOQ