I feel that the denmark forest kindergartens are the best environment for child development. the children in such kindergartens are able to have so much more exploration, their creativity and awareness of the world and themselves can be developed alot more than the other two preschools. In addition, those who attended forest kindergartens do not have any differences in learning abilities and adaptability as compared to those who attended the other two preschools. The children who attend forest kindergartens are also able to make sense of the world and will be more interested/motivated to learn.

I believe that children at such a young age, should not be sitting down learning A,B,Cs but should be outdoors playing and discovering. At this age, they are not ready to be learning anything academic, and should only start learning them in primary school. I believe that after such an enriching pre-school education, they will be able to study/learn better in primary and further educations.

The children learn social skills, emotional skills, physical skills, as well as other skills that children learn in the classroom. They can even learn things that the other two classroom cannot teach.

I feel that the forest kindergarten as the best environment as compared to the other 2 preschools.

First of all, in Singapore, we do not have such a natural and raw environment for our students to learn in. When we try to teach about insects, most teachers will use pictures to show instead of providing first hand experience for the children. However, with the forest kindergarten, children are getting first hand experience and interaction with the environment around them to learn and play.

Secondly, many topics can be taught to the children even without tables and chairs in the classroom. Its up to the teacher and how they want to teach and branch out the topic for the children to learn.

Thirdly, children are free. With the short attention span, it is difficult to get a young child to sit still for long and whats more to learn. By incorporating play and their own interest to explore will heighten their motivation to learn as well.

Despite disagreeing with certain safety issues for the forest kindergarten, i feel that it is the best environment for the child to work and play in. As justified by a parent in the video, our children these days are losing touch with the natural environment as all they are in contact with is their electronic devices. It is important to emphasis what we can learn from the surroundings around us.

I feel like the forest kindergarten is the best out of the 3. The children are able to learn and be prepared for primary education even though they are playing in the wild. I feel that they would be able to explore more of their senses and fine tune their skills more while they are in the wild and it is especially more so important for them to experience these things when they are young. The children know their boundaries and it is safe as the teachers and parents all have each other's trust. While the children might not be able to get structured lessons in a classroom and have to be in the cold during the winter, i think it is necessary for them to experience it and they do not necessarily lose out to children who go to the normal kindergartens. In fact i would think that the children who go to the forest kindergarten benefit more and are able to learn more knowledge and skills than the children who attend the normal kindergartens.

I feel that the forest kindergarten provide the best environment for child development out of the three. It is a natural and authentic environment for children to grow in. It allows children to explore and use their sense of creativity as they gain experience with real materials found in their environment. Motor skills are naturally learned such as through climbing trees and handling small objects.

Unlike the other two, the forest kindergarten do not have tables and chairs. They teach children whatever is found in the nature such as "troll ears". It builds their sense of wonder and curiosity, creating a meaning to the world. Not only do this schools teaches children the basic skills; motor, cognitive skills etc, it teaches children life skills as well, how to survive through cold or wet weather. It make the children more prepared of the world around them, allowing them to be more brave.

Although there may be safety issues, such as children climbing up the branches high up and using dangerous sharp objects, these issues can be thought in another perspective. Children are actually using their analytical skills as they choose the way to climb up and knifes are seen as tools instead of weapon.

The forest kindergarten seems to be less stressful, allowing children to concentrate better and children tend to have better motor development.

The different preschool have their own pros and cons. I prefer the forest classroom as the children are given the freedom to do what they want, yet at the same time they understand the different boundaries given to them. Since the classroom is an outdoor environment and involves different natural objects, children are able to develop their motor skills. Along the way, they were also able to gain knowledge about the nature (e.g. millipedes). Educators are using natural objects and environment to teach which makes the lesson less stressful compared to the other countries (classes conducted indoors). The sensorial input is sufficient as children are able to explore with the texture itself comparing to indoor classrooms where educators use pictures/videos to teach.

I think the forest kindergarten is the best environment for child development as the children are free to explore what they are interested in. This then gets the children to be interested in learning about the environment around them. Thus naturally developing motor skills and academic skills such as their ABCs. I like that the children are not limited by rules and regulations but are allowed to be free and feel like a child. However, I think that teachers should watch out for the children a bit more just to ensure that nothing too severe happens and to correct the children whenever necessary.

I believe that the forest kindergarten has the best environment for child development. Preschool children should be given the freedom to play and enjoy themselves. They should not be confined to being in a classroom and studying literacy and numeracy. It is definitely essential for children to learn literacy skills but I dont think they are of a age whereby it is necessary for them to learn such skills. They can start learning in primary school. To me, what is more important for them to learn are socio emotional skills such as managing their emotions and interacting with their peers. The forest kindergarten allows them to interact with their peers and also enhance their life skills.

I feel that each preschool has its own positive side.

The Singapore Preschool includes a lot of technological aid in their classroom.

The Japanese Preschool is very structured and orderly. Children are very respectful and the routines are "embedded" in them.

The Forest Preschool provides a natural environment for authentic learning. Children are aware of their boundaries even though there are no clear demarcations.

I can't decided which preschool has the best environment as a little bit of each can be included or inculcated in the respective countries to provide children with the best and authentic learning experience for children to engage in.

In my opinion, I feel that the forest kindergarten is the better one for children to develop themselves holistically. Over there, they are given free reign to build upon their creativity. This does not mean that the teachers expose them to danger but rather, the children already know their boundaries. They are also given lots of opportunities to work on their communication skills, motor skills, solving problem skills, social-emotional skills and such. Although they do not have those sit-down lesson where the teacher teaches them their alphabets and numbers, they are able to learn these through their exploration or at home.

The Singapore's and Japan's centre did show that the children are benefiting from the educational system as well, but their system is too structured/rigid and they are not able to explore much

I feel that the Singapore preschool is quite an ideal environment. Being in the 21st century, the skills that are embedded in the lessons like technology (ipad, beebot) is beneficial for the children as they will get more and more exposed to and need technology more as they progress in life. Also, they are also exposing children to a more useful and practical part of technology, which can teach children that other than entertainment purposes, technology can be used in other better ways. There are also chances for other development like sensory play during art and learning science concepts through activities that are fun and would interest children like circuit stickers. Chances for social development is also present during lessons activities like baking. The program is rather all rounded and supports different aspects of development.

As someone who has grown up in an academically rigorous system, it is hard for me to completely accept the denmark preschool though I can see the merits of the pedagogy. I believe a hybrid environment (e.g elements of the SG preschool + elements of the denmark preschool) would be best as children have a balance of outdoor and indoor play, loud/quiet activities etc.

I feel that preschools in Singapore should incorporate more outdoor play/physical play to contribute to children's physical development, which is crucial in the early years. Research has shown that children who move more are calmer and focus better in class.

At the same time, I feel that Denmark schools should also dedicate a portion of the curriculum to literacy/numeracy lessons in a classroom, because the child's mind is especially malleable and absorbent in the early years.

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I believe the Japanese preschool has the best environment for child developement. The japanese preschool is spacious and have marked and clear boundaries for the children. The transitions are also very smooth and the activities are focused on children's discipline and values.

As seen from the videos, the children are given the freedom to take on tasks and fufil their responsibilies while in a restricted and safe space. The school also focuses on values and responsibilities, especially in the older children. This promotes respect in the children.

In comparison, the other 2 preschools are either too restrictive or too liberal. The Singaporean preschool is too restricted and the children's action are being monitored. For the preschool in Denmark, the preschool is too liberal and this may result in a lack of discipline in children.

All the above-mentioned preschool are good in trying to provide young children with a holistic education Personally, I feel that the forest kindergarten is a good environment for young children to develop and at the same time bond more with the natural environment.Even though there isn't a fixed curriculum for the forest kindergarten the children who attend the school learn life skills through the exploration of the forest and they even know their boundaries.

I feel that the Denmark Forest Kindergarten has the best environment for child development. The children in the kindergarten are constantly outdoors and can have real experiences as compared to the Japanese Childcare centre and the NTUC My First Skool. Because they are constantly outdoors, they learn a lot more life skills and get to interact a lot more with their environment. Despite the fact that they do not really do class work, they do get to learn life skills and have a real childhood which does not consist of the usage of technology. The father interviewed in the video mentioned that he sent his girls to the forest kindergarten as he did not want to encourage the usage of iPads, which i feel is a very valid point. Children nowadays are too engrossed in the use of technology that they often forget about the physical world they are in. As the children interact with the environment, they are learning a lot of skills such as communication, social, problem-solving, motor skills and such.

Hence i feel that the forest kindergarten is the best environment for child development as compared to the other two preschools.

I personally feel that the Denmark Forest Kindergarten has the best environment for child development. The striking factor in that particular kindergarten would be the lack of books, learning materials such as worksheets and a proper curriculum. However, I feel that the children who study in this kindergarten can develop life skills which children in the ordinary preschools may not be able to do as much. Children can also explore anything and everything around them. With minimal tools provided, children's creativity and thinking skills are being stretched as they are not being spoon-fed with everything. Children will also be able to start appreciating the environment around them and see the natural world in a different perspective.

There were two environments that I liked most.

The forest kindergarten encourages children to be what people would call street smart and independent. They know their boundaries which show how disciplined they are. Their learning environment provides them various learning opportunities. There is much they can learn from the outdoors. The kind of experience they gain would be different than to children in typical classrooms. The children would also have the opportunity to interact with their friends in the environment, building their social skills.

The environment is unique and the children do not learn less than what children from a typical kindergarten learn.

Also, the childcare in Japan has a very bright environment where the people in the environment encourage independence and value the act of being responsible. It feels like a positive environment for children to be nurtured in. The social environment is built on respect and trust.

In this environment, the children are given the opportunity to grow within a boundary.

I feel that with the kind of trust teachers and parents have for this unique learning environment, it would be an ideal area for children to experience different things and grow. It would be great for children to learn to know their own limits and have a sensorial experience. With this, children will also learn to care for the natural environment which in this generation, the care for the natural environment is lacking.

Children thrive in a environment whereby there are given concrete materials and resources that enables them to explore. The forest kindergarten gives children such experiences. Life skills that cannot be taught in between 4 walls.

However children nowadays is lacking in EQ. Etiquette and mannerism builds a person's personality. Children in the Japanese childcare were taught values that helps with a child's EQ and I believe that is important to instil in children since young. Therefore, I am more attracted to the Japanese childcare setting.

I would prefer MFS preschool. I feel that a safe physical environment is vital and I am always concern of the safety of children. I cannot imagine how can the 'wild child' approach ensures safety of children. I mean I understand that the teacher trust children in ensuing their safety and their motor skills but what if the child accidentally slips or a brunch just break, the child is going to fall form that tree probably suffering from fractured bones and bruises and bleedings. I don't see how climbing tress and using of dangerous tools would help children in holistic learning and preparing them for primary school in Singapore. If Singapore is in the forest or that outdoor surviving skills are essential to survive in this country, I do not see the benefit of children engaging in such dangerous activities. On the other hand MFS has a safe and conducive environment for children to learn in, at least their safety is not at risk. MFS also infuses gadgets into learning which preps children for the future in which learning may take place on online platforms.

All 3 preschool has it's own merit, but i would prefer Singapore My first skool environment. The classroom environment provide different means of learning, including the use of technology, which is 21st century skill. The learning environment is also created with a lot of hand-made materials which facilitate the children's learning.

I personally feel that the preschool in Denmark has the best environment for child development. The preschools in Japan and Singapore feature a very rigid curriculum and syllabus. Children are very closely monitored and partake in planned activities under strict monitoring. This may be a good thing in its own way as a structured curriculum provides children with content familiarity and a very safe environment. However, I feel that a child develops best through self exploration and discovery. The preschool in Denmark allows the children to roam, explore and interact with natural habitats and I feel that this will enhance their development as their learning are not confined within a classroom but a free roaming discovery journey.

I believe that the classroom in the forest is an ideal classroom because children learn best in nature where everything is natural and authentic. Children are given the opportunity to develop holistically in the environment with the scaffolding of the teacher. They learn essential life skills such as survival skills on top of discovering their environment. Children learn best while they explore and educators scaffold their exploration and learning. Children are handling tools such as knife at a very young age not as a weapon but a tool, this can teach children about proper usage of items and stray them away from violence. I believe that it will be good for the children to be close to mother nature and learn while they explore.

I feel that the Japanese childcare has the the best environment as it is neat, clean and focuses a lot on respecting as well as being responsible for themselves. I think that a sense of accomplishment is formed in a child when they are given tasks that seems like are jobs for the adults, and this can also build their characters into responsible people who knows how to take care of themselves, as well as to help in small tasks. Respect and responsibility are values that can bring them far in life, thus starting young and teaching them these core values will enable them to become greater individuals in the future.

I feel that the forest kindergarten is the best for child development. In this day and age, children are so obsessed with technology or electronic gadgets that caused them to neglect the natural environment around them. As such, children starts to experience health problems due to the lack of exercise and their learning experiences are also limited. Although, others may argue that the environmental factors of the forest kindergarten may not be suitable for children as they are too young to be exposed to the harsh weather and unpredictable danger that are present in the forest. However, I feel that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. It is through such harsh conditions that children truly learn to be more independent and responsible for their own actions. As seen in the video, the children are clear of what is right or wrong as such they chose not to cross the road without an adult supervision. There are also endless possibilities in the forest, each step that the children take could be a learning opportunity for them and often, these learning experiences cannot be replicated indoors. Therefore, I fully support the idea of forest kindergarten as I strongly feel that the authentic experiences that the children obtained in the natural environment are hard to come by in a setting that is restricted or carefully planned.

Which 3

videos? Please post links.

It seems like there is something similar in Singapore!

https://www.sassymamasg.com/learn-preschool-canterbury-cove-forest-school/

Would you send your children there?

The forest kindergarten do not have tables and chairs. In contrast with the other two, They teach children whatever is found in the nature. It builds their sense of wonder and curiosity, creating a meaning to the world. Not only do this schools teaches children the basic skills; motor, cognitive skills etc, it teaches children life skills as well, how to survive through cold or wet weather. It make the children more prepared of the world around them, allowing them to be more brave.

I feel that the Forest Kindergarten is best for child development, in comparison to the other two for the following reasons:

(a) Authentic Learning: Learning occurs in the most authentic and real way possible, in real life situation that tones certain life skills in the children naturally while they still get to enjoy and have fun with play.

(b) Values: What better way to build values like trust and respect in children than to letting them explore and learn in an open environment with their peers and teachers, and building confidence in themselves as they do things that people deem dangerous for their age.

(c) Incidental Learning: Educators often say that incidental learnings provide the most valuable teaching moments. There are tonnes of opportunities for such learning that automatically reaches more than one developmental domain (physical, cognitive, socio-emotional, etc).

(d) Unique and Quality Learning: In a world where each individual needs to establish himself as an adult, the learnings here would aid in building a heavy and strong foundation in children, building a unique character in them that may differ from children attending regular kindergartens.

(e) As I also believe that it is not necessary to expose preschoolers to technology (as seen in My First Skool), as i think they will be able to learn in their later years, the idea of authentic and natural learning where play is given importance (forest kindergartens) is ideal.

However, the slight factors that question the practice of forest kindergartens are:

(a) It's a kindergarten and not a preschool which limits the time children of the selected age group can spend at school, requiring parents to fetch their children earlier than as usual in preschools.

(b) Locations and resources: In places that lack natural resources such as Singapore, it is not possible to create such a kindergarten and even if we tried, will the society be fine with the children playing and working with tools such as the knives.

In my opinion, I feel that the Japanese Childcares are the best for child development. Although some of the procedures and routines are similar to the ones that we have in Singapore, I can see so much more morals and values instilled into everyday. For example, greeting and thanking everyone else in the room before they leave, and the maintenance and order of everything in the classroom. There is also enough facilities and time scheduled for creative play and social interactions.

I enjoyed watching the video about Forest Kindergartens, and strongly agree with the point that children might be too sucked into the virtual world that the forget how to "play". Definitely a different curriculum, where children do not sit down learning from a teacher, but rather make discoveries on their own. However, watching the child climb up to the top of the tree did make my heart beat a little faster. Maybe it's because I am not used to the idea of children foraging in the wild, but I understand how it can be an effective environment for children as well.

What striked me most about the Japanese kindergarten was the respect and care for others around them, teachers and friends alike. I strongly believe that these value should be instilled well when children are young, so that they are able to develop a good character, and help them discern what is 'right' or 'wrong' in the future.