A child notices that one leaf looks different from the others. They stop, look more closely and ask why. That moment of curiosity offers a starting point for exploring the natural world.
For parents looking into Forest School in Dubai, it helps to ask what children can explore and how those experiences connect with their wider learning. At Regent International School, Forest School sits within our Environment & Sustainability Signature Programme.
What children can explore at Regent
Our published programme includes guided exploration and biodiversity study at Regent Forest School, growing and harvesting in the vegetable garden, and hydroponic farming. Children have opportunities to observe natural habitats and care for plants through activities such as gardening and watering.
The learning pathway develops by phase. Early Years experiences include sensory gardens, nature play and simple conservation habits. Primary learning introduces ecosystems, vegetable growing and conservation projects. Secondary students move towards environmental research, advocacy and sustainability leadership.
The website also identifies certified Forest School practitioners within the specialist team. Families can ask about Forest School and hydroponic station tours to understand the spaces and the activities relevant to their child’s year group.
Explore the Environment & Sustainability Programme
Turn an observation into a question
Consider a simple learning possibility: a child notices that two plants are growing differently. An adult could supply an answer straight away, or invite the child to think about what might explain the difference. Is the light the same? How could they record what they notice?
This example illustrates how outdoor learning can create a reason to investigate. Drawing a plant carefully, describing a change or deciding what to measure gives a familiar classroom skill a practical purpose. The question begins with something the child has seen.
Make responsibility visible
Caring for a plant gives a child a task they can return to. You might ask them to check it with you and talk about what it needs. If something changes, resist treating the result as a success or failure immediately. Look together at what happened and what could be tried next.
That approach can make environmental conversations more concrete. Instead of asking a child to understand every aspect of sustainability at once, begin with a place, a living thing or a resource they can observe. Leave space for their questions to guide the discussion.
Bring the conversation home
Try choosing a plant to observe together or taking a short walk when conditions are suitable. Ask your child to notice one thing they had not seen before. They might sketch it, describe it or return another day to look for a change.
You could also explore an everyday family habit, such as food left over after a meal. Invite your child to suggest one small change and discuss whether it helped. Keep the activity manageable and let them contribute an idea of their own.
Questions to ask on a school visit
When exploring an environment and sustainability programme in Dubai, ask how outdoor sessions are organised for your child’s age and how provision adapts to the weather. Ask how teachers connect observations outdoors with work in the classroom, and what children can help care for over time.
A visit gives you a chance to see the setting and understand the learning behind it. Explore Regent’s programme with the team and discover where your child’s questions might lead.
