6 Ways Forest School Develops Emotional Intelligence in Children

At Footprints on the Moon, we believe the forest isn’t just a place to play - it’s a magical space where children learn about their feelings, connect with others and grow emotionally every day. Emotional intelligence (or EQ) is all about understanding and managing emotions and forest school is one of the best places to do it naturally.

Here are six fantastic ways our Forest School helps children develop emotional intelligence while having fun in nature:

1. A space to feel and share

Out in the forest, there’s room for all kinds of feelings. Whether your little one is thrilled about discovering a ladybird or upset because [common upset here], we encourage them to share those feelings.

Our friendly educators help children put feelings into words and understand them better. It’s all about learning that every feeling is okay and they can find ways to handle them with kindness and care.

2. Growing empathy through collaboration

When children explore the forest together at Footprints on the Moon, they’re not just making friends; they’re learning to care for each other. Working together on projects like building dens or searching for natural treasures creates a sense of teamwork.

They celebrate each other’s successes, comfort each other when things go wrong, and learn what it means to be a good friend. These shared moments help children see the world through someone else’s eyes and grow their empathy.

3. Learning to bounce back

Nature can be unpredictable. Rain might soak their clothes, or a balancing log might wobble. But that’s all part of the fun!

At Footprints on the Moon, children discover it’s okay to feel frustrated or disappointed. More importantly, they learn to try again and keep going, building resilience. This “never give up” attitude strengthens their emotional muscles and helps them feel more confident every day.

4. Creating quiet moments to feel calm

Sometimes the best learning happens in stillness. We love to pause: listening to birds, watching leaves flutter, or just lying back and feeling the cool Northumberland breeze.

These calm moments help little hearts settle and minds focus. Practicing this kind of mindfulness helps children notice how they feel and find ways to soothe themselves when life gets busy or tricky. Very useful for adulthood ;)

5. Finding themselves through play

At Footprints on the Moon, children lead their own adventures. Whether they’re digging in the mud, climbing trees or making nature art, they’re making daily choices that show who they are and what they love.

This freedom helps them understand their likes, dislikes and feelings - all important steps in becoming emotionally aware and confident. 

6. Being part of our forest family

Most of all, Forest School is about connection. We’ve created a warm and welcoming community where every child feels seen, heard and loved just as they are.

This sense of belonging gives kids the courage to explore their feelings and build strong friendships. Knowing they belong helps them learn to listen, share, and support others - skills for life.

Let nature nurture emotional intelligence.

At Footprints on the Moon, we see every forest day as an opportunity for children to grow emotionally as well as physically and mentally. We’d love to have your family join our forest family, where every step outside is a step towards emotional strength.

Get in touch anytime - we love to share the magic of Forest School!