About 

Heather McHugh, BA (Hons) Early Childhood Education and Care, Qualified Forest School Leader (Level 3, OCN, West Midlands).

With a background in the Early Years sector, and trained in the Montessori method of education, I have been working with children for 15+ years.  Throughout my studies I was inspired by Richard Louv's book 'Last Child in the Woods' which led to much reading and research into the importance of allowing children time to be outdoors learning and connecting with nature.  Louv suggests that the consequences of young children not being given opportunities to connect with nature from an early age can lead to what he describes as 'nature deficit disorder' - a lack of use of our senses, physical and emotional difficulties and attention and concentration difficulties (Louv, 2005).

As a child I spent much of my childhood summers running free range with my siblings in beautiful countryside in County Wicklow.  These outdoor experiences hold the most precious memories for me, and I have been lucky enough to bring my own children up in the same area.  I am now committed to nurturing young children's natural connection with nature by providing Forest School and Outdoor Nature Connection sessions on a regular basis. 

Young children naturally connect with nature, however, if this is not encouraged these connections may be lost (Willoughby, 2014).   

Louv, R. (2005).  Last Child in the Woods: Saving our children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. London: Atlantic Books.  

Willoughby, M. (2014). Outdoor Play Matters, The Benefits of Outdoor Play for Young Children. Dublin: Barnardos.