Nature provides children with a vibrant and dynamic environment where learning unfolds naturally. In the forest, every season, sound, texture, and discovery invites curiosity and engagement. Through a long-term continous immersion in the outdoor children observe their surroundings, pose questions, test hypotheses, and derive understanding through direct experience.

Time in nature supports the development of the whole child. As children climb, balance, dig, and explore, they strengthen their bodies while also building confidence, resilience, and independence. Quiet moments of observation nurture attention, patience, and emotional regulation.

Children cultivate a profound sense of belonging as they connect to the world around them. Through their daily adventures within the natural world children develop empathy, respect, and responsibility for the environment. They naturally embrace a heartfelt stewardship of our planet, recognizing that we are an integral part of nature’s living web, connected and thriving within it.

A living space where children and nature grow together, nurturing curiosity, care, and connection

We actively protect play as this is the language through which children discover the world, test their limits, and learn who they are within it.

Play is a fundamental right for every child and it is essential for their mental well-being.

At Arcos International Forest School Play isn´t a break from learning.. IT IS THE LEARNING no matter the age.

At Arcos International Forest School, emotional awareness is a central pillar of our educational approach. We recognize that children’s ability to understand and regulate their emotions is fundamental to their overall development and to building healthy relationships with others.

Throughout the day, educators intentionally accompany children in recognizing, naming, and expressing their feelings in a safe and respectful environment. Moments of conflict, frustration, excitement, or joy are seen as meaningful opportunities for learning. Rather than correcting or suppressing emotions, we guide children in exploring what they feel and why, helping them gradually develop emotional literacy, empathy, and self-regulation.

Our practice is inspired by the principles of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) developed by Marshall Rosenberg. Through this approach, children are supported in identifying their feelings and needs, listening to others, and finding respectful ways to express themselves. Educators model this language in daily interactions, helping children build the foundations for compassionate communication and constructive conflict resolution.

Learning grows from children’s natural curiosity and their interactions with the environment. Educators carefully observe children’s interests, questions, and discoveries, using them as starting points for meaningful exploration and deeper understanding.

Our role is to guide and extend these moments of discovery. Within this process, curriculum is addressed through authentic and meaningful experiences. Foundational skills such as early literacy, numeracy, scientific thinking, and social development are integrated naturally into children’s investigations.

In the ever-changing environment of nature, new opportunities for learning arise each day. By supporting children’s curiosity and engagement, we nurture a lasting love of learning that is both joyful and purposeful.

We recognize that appropriate risk is an essential and healthy part of children’s development. Experiences such as climbing trees, balancing on logs, exploring uneven terrain, or using simple tools allow children to test their abilities and better understand their own limits.

Research shows that children who regularly engage in risky play often become more aware, capable, and ultimately safer, as they learn to assess situations, make decisions, and manage challenges independently. Rather than eliminating risk,we accompany children in recognizing and evaluating it, helping them develop confidence, resilience, and sound judgment.

Through these experiences, children build trust in their own abilities and develop the skills needed to navigate the world with autonomy, safety, and confidence.

Our space is a true bilingual environment, where language is lived through play and exploration. Early, hands-on exposure to Spanish and English boosts cognitive flexibility, memory, and attention, while connecting words to real experiences ensures deep learning and lasting retention. This immersive approach also nurtures metalinguistic awareness and problem-solving skills, giving children advantages that go beyond language into wider academic and social growth

Diversability is the richness that comes from physical, cognitive, and cultural diversity within our community. We believe that every child brings unique strengths, perspectives, and ways of learning, and these differences enrich the experience of the whole group.

The natural environment, with its open spaces and varied landscapes, offers flexible and inclusive opportunities for exploration and discovery. The slower rhythms of nature allow each child to engage at their own pace, creating space for observation, reflection, and meaningful participation. In this way, the forest becomes a learning environment where every child can find their place and thrive.

Our international community also embraces multiculturalism as an essential part of learning. By sharing languages, traditions, and perspectives, children develop empathy and learn to understand the world from many viewpoints. Here, diversity is a powerful opportunity to grow with a broader, more connected understanding of the world.

Nature is our classroom

Play - Based

Emotional Growth

Emergent Learning

Risk Pedagogy

Diversability

Bilinguism

All our actions are guided by

RESPECT: We aim to cultivate kindness and respect, both for oneself, others and the environment.

HONESTY: We promote integrity and encourage honesty as the foundation of all relationships.

RESPONSIBILITY: We advocate for understanding that our actions have consequences that affect both the environment and those around us.

LOVE: We are guided by our hearts. Love is at the center of everything we do and is what unites us all.

TRUST: We strive to create a safe and trusting space where children can develop confidence in themselves and their abilities.

GRATITUDE: We practice gratitude daily to appreciate what we have and recognize the value and significance of our lives.

The Arcos International Forest School has become our community. Their approach to learning through nature and play is inspiring, and our daughter doesn’t want to leave at the end of the day. The kids care for each other and learn social skills I haven’t seen at any other school.

Carolyn

The caring guides nurture emotional growth through playful outdoor adventures.

Ben K.

★★★★★

★★★★★