Forest Education Boosts Israeli Students' Emotional Well-being, Study Finds
A new study examining "forest education" in Israel reveals that taking classes outdoors into wooded areas significantly enhances students' psychological and emotional well-being, social behavior, and connection to nature. The research, conducted in forests managed by the Jewish National Fund (JNF) and involving elementary school students across the country, found that these "forest days" provide a less structured learning environment where physical activity and sensory experiences are central.
Forest education, also known as "forest days," is integrated into the regular curriculum, with students returning to the same outdoor space which becomes a de facto classroom or camp. Activities include building shelters, cooking, lighting fires, and exploring the environment. Unlike traditional classroom learning, which can be static, forest education emphasizes active engagement and the "here and now," focusing on relational knowledge and personal connection to the natural world rather than just factual recall.
The study, led by Gidi Tal, a doctoral student at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev's School of Education, and Dr. Gideon Dishon, involved questionnaires, interviews, and observations. Results indicated that students reported moderate to high levels of psychological need fulfillment, pro-social behavior, and nature affinity during forest days. Interestingly, the study found that when regular school staff led these activities, students felt their needs were better met compared to when external experts were involved.
An additional component of the research, added after the outbreak of the recent conflict, focused on students from the Gaza envelope communities. These students experienced feelings of displacement and loss of anchor. Teachers reported that forest days provided a crucial space for these children to process their experiences, fostering a sense of community and enabling a different kind of connection with their teachers, thereby aiding in the development of resilience.
The JNF is also expanding its forest education initiatives, with a pilot program called "Adopt a Forest" in northern Israel aimed at strengthening the bond between participants and their local forests. Tal emphasizes the importance of incorporating social-emotional learning and diverse experiences into the broader educational framework, recommending that both students and adults spend more time outdoors.
