Central Nottingham Trent University News

A senior lecturer in childhood studies has started up a "Forest School" in woods at the university's Brackenhurst campus near Southwell, Nottinghamshire.

Children can learn about risk through climbing trees and searching for insects in a safe and controlled environment.

Under-fives from Lowdham Pre-School spend a morning a week at the site. Staff say it boosts the children's confidence and improves learning.Forest Schools started in Scandinavia where research has found they encourage children to play longer, make them less irritable and less likely to be off sick.

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• Nottingham
• Nottingham Trent University

There are calls for young children to be given more opportunity to play outdoors and learn about the risks involved.

Academics at Nottingham Trent University say youngsters need to explore their surroundings without being smothered by over-protective adults.

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• Nottingham Trent University
• Nottingham

An academic from Nottingham Trent University has rounded on overprotective parents who prevent their children from learning to be careful.

Annie Woods says children under five must learn how to manage their own risks without being smothered by their parents.

She says children should be allowed to climb trees and decide how high they can go so they learn about when to take care.

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• Nottingham Trent University