Learning to be Friends of the Forest in Sweden's Rain or Shine Schools

By Shelby Kohn

Just northeast of Stockholm lies Lidingö Island, a magical place where you can find one of Sweden's 200+ Rain-or-Shine nature school units. This particular location was named Vattendroppen I Ur och Skur, which translates to the Waterdrop Rain or Shine School. The preschool was a small group of about 25 children ages one through six and sufficiently staffed by six educators. The essence of all Rain or shine schools' is that everything learned indoors can be learned outdoors – and in an even more meaningful way.

In the 1980's, a Swedish woman by the name of Siw Linde enrolled her son in Skogsmulle school. She loved the program so much she became a trained Skogsmulle Leader and was inspired to spread the work of FF in her own way. In just a few years, she and her co-worker Susanne created a model for a nursery based on outdoor activities (Linde 2016). Their ideology was that whatever nursery activities the children do indoors, like sewing drawing, playing, and even napping, could be done outdoors. Therefore, the aim of I Ur och Skur to be outside as much as possible (Linde 2020). By 1985, Siw and Susanne were able to buy a plot of land that was previously a communal garden space and construct the first I Ur och Skur. Their efforts were greatly supported by the community residents and quickly gained the support of the local government as well. Siw attributes the contributions of the members of the community, especially parents, as key factors to the success of I Ur och Skurs (Linde 2020).

We arrived at the Vattendroppen I Ur och Skur just in time to see toddlers all bundled up in snowsuits walking two by two, waddling their way to the nearby forest. The older preschool children were not too far behind – and we came running behind them. Since the children spend the majority of their time every day in the forest, our LC was really in for a treat when these Friends of the Forest guided us through the wooded landscape, introducing us to the sacred spaces they knew so well. As we embarked on our travel through the trees, we met Mrs. Pine, a tall and wide-stumped pine tree marking the entrance of the forest. The children and adults hugged her and told her how grateful we were for her. Just up the hill, we encountered Mr. Fir, her husband, who had sprawling roots above the earth, perfect for climbing and crawling about, supporting his trunk high into the sky. They are together, connected beneath the earth, but still keep physical space. There were many landmarks like Mr. Fir and Mrs. Pine the children recognized along the path; it was clear that each of them had developed a special relationship with the nature through their many adventures in that space.

We trekked on through the forests' waves of land, mossy boulders, and fallen trunks, eventually coming to a clearing, which we learned was one of the children's several meeting spots in the forest. The area was abundant in tall trees with low branches, rope swings, and homemade stick tipis. There was a small meadow, and logs surrounding a communal space for making a fire. Throughout the morning, the children taught us songs (in Swedish and English) about nature and togetherness while we cooked and drank coffee and tea by the fire. We painted watercolor rainbows on the grass, climbed trees and rocks, and had several stick battles. Some of us got a lesson in Swedish by spelling our names on the earth with natural materials like pinecones, spicks, and leaves (this was an excellent way for the children to practice language and writing skills in a fun and creative way). Our time in the forest was ultimately short, but the opportunities in that space felt infinite – and we made sure to cherish every moment.

It is incredible how time warps in the woods. While only there for a few hours, the bonding power of nature gave us the unforgettable opportunity to play, laugh, and love with the children of the forest. Even when we did not speak the same language, we learned to use the natural environment to communicate our thoughts and feelings in a way that was mutually understood. If you spend enough time exploring the outdoors, you will soon learn that the language of nature is the language of humanity, and you, too, will become a Friend of the Forest.

References

Joyce, Rosaleen. Outdoor Learning : Past And Present. McGraw-Hill Education, 2012.

Linde, Siw. The start of ‘In Rain and Shine’. Lindigö, 2016.

Linde, Siw. About Mulleborg. Lindigö, 2020.

Robertson, Juliet. Rain or Shine Swedish Forest Schools. Friluftsfrämjandet, 2008.