Introduction

Risk is a natural and essential part of learning. At Forest School, children are encouraged not to avoid risk but to understand and manage it. By doing so, they develop crucial life skills such as confidence, judgement, and responsibility — all within the supportive and structured environment of nature-based learning. Far from being reckless, this approach helps children become safer, more capable, and more self-aware.

1. Building Confidence and Independence

When children are trusted to assess and take manageable risks — such as lighting a fire, using a knife safely, or climbing a tree — they experience genuine achievement. Success in these tasks builds self-esteem and independence, teaching them that they are capable of making sound decisions. This empowerment encourages resilience and a “can-do” attitude that extends far beyond Forest School sessions.

2. Developing Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Skills

Risk management requires children to think ahead, weigh up options, and make decisions. For example, deciding whether a branch is strong enough to climb or how to carry a tool safely encourages logical thinking and situational awareness. These moments of self-assessment are powerful opportunities for real-world learning — where mistakes can become safe, constructive learning experiences.

3. Encouraging Responsibility and Respect

Children who are given responsibility for their own safety often show a greater respect for tools, materials, and the natural environment. They learn that actions have consequences, and that safety is a shared responsibility. This culture of care and awareness fosters empathy — for both others and the world around them.

4. Strengthening Emotional Resilience

Taking risks and facing challenges — even small ones — helps children build emotional resilience. When they overcome fear, deal with uncertainty, or recover from a minor setback, they learn valuable coping strategies. These experiences support mental wellbeing and help children develop a healthy relationship with risk and challenge throughout their lives.

5. Preparing for Real-World Challenges

Learning to manage risk in a Forest School setting prepares children for life beyond the woods. The ability to assess situations, think ahead, and take responsibility is relevant everywhere — from the classroom to home and future workplaces. By practising safe risk-taking in nature, children gain a sense of autonomy that equips them for adulthood.

Conclusion

Empowering children to manage risk at Forest School is about far more than physical safety — it’s about nurturing capable, confident, and resilient individuals. Through supported experiences in nature, children learn how to think for themselves, take ownership of their actions, and approach the world with curiosity and care. In a society where risk is often avoided, Forest School offers a refreshing and essential opportunity for real growth.