The Art of Silent Mentoring

In early childhood, from birth to around age seven, children learn primarily through imitation rather than explanation. They absorb the world through their senses and through the gestures, movements, and the behaviour of the adults around them.

In a forest school environment, more than a teacher, the mentor is a living model of how a human being relates to the Earth. The way a mentor steps carefully over a decaying log to avoid crushing a fungal colony, gently moves a earthworm off the walking path, or thanks a tree for the medicine it provided - every action becomes a living lesson for the child, signalling that nature is a sacred, living space that requires our care.

Protecting the Felt Connection

It's very tempting in outdoor education to constantly name and categorize everything: "That's a Douglas Fir, that's a Blue Triangle butterfly, that's an orb-weaver.."

While well-meaning, this stream of words and scientific explanations can pull the child's attention away from the sensory and imitative world into intellectual activity that is not yet ready to awaken.

When we slap a label on a living thing, the child often checks it off a mental list and stops looking. A word can act as a barrier. Instead of providing a steady stream of facts, a forest school mentor holds space for curiosity.

For example, if a child asks, "Why is this leaf full of holes?", resist the urge to explain insect feeding cycles. A phrase like, "Hmm.. I wonder who made those tiny windows..." allows the child’s mind to imagine stories, fairies, or come up with their own intuitive theories. It empowers the child to find their own explanation and share the unique way the understand the world.

A times, even a gentle, open-ended "I wonder..." or a quiet nod can be far more nourishing than an immediate answer. In that small pause, the imagination awakens. You might be surprised by the beauty that can flow from their uninhibited, creative minds when given the space to wonder freely!

But what if they really want to know?

Of course, there are plenty of times when a child’s curiosity shifts from quiet wonder to a burning need for facts. If they keep asking and truly want an answer, you don't have to leave them hanging! Pull a local field guide or reference book out of your backpack. Looking it up together turns a static fact into a fun, shared treasure hunt. It shows them that we’re all explorers, and that learning side-by-side is part of the adventure.

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About the author

I’m Lidia, founder of Big Scrub Nature Play and author of Growing with Nature.

I am certified in Restorative Storytelling and I am currently undertaking a qualification in Therapeutic Skills for Outdoor Leaders, exploring how Forest School and nature play practices can support children’s emotional wellbeing. These are my reflections and insights emerging from this journey — exploring how children can grow, learn and heal with nature. 🌿