Vale dos Medronhos
Welcome to Vale dos Medronhos, a parent‑led forest‑school playgroup in Sesimbra.
Who We Are
Vale dos Medronhos is a forest playgroup in Maçã, Sesimbra, for children aged 1 to 4. We emphasize natural exploration, storytelling, music, and crafts using local materials, fostering integral development through guided adventures.
Details & Info
Age Group: 1 to 4 years (more important than age is that children no longer mouth objects as their primary way of exploring)
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Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:30 – 16:30
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Group size: Max. 12 kids, mixed-age group
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Activities: Morning circle, forest walks, nature exploration, arts & crafts, storytime, and songs
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Caretakers: Our wonderful educators are Inês and Eliana, both wonderfully kind and caring, trained caretakers and mothers
Our Philosophy
At Vale dos Medronhos, our forest-school philosophy can be summed up in five guiding principles:
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Child-led, curiosity-driven adventures replace structured learning.
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Repeated immersion in the same woodland patch builds ecological literacy.
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Managed risk—tree-climbing, campfires, and hand tools—teaches judgment and resilience.
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Whole-child development unfolds naturally: movement, language, and social-emotional skills grow together outdoors.
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Simple, natural resources like sticks, stones, wool, and watercolours invite open-ended, imaginative play.
Our Approach
We follow a child-centered, play-based approach to learning that takes place in natural outdoor environments. Rooted in respect for the land, the rhythms of nature and the innate curiosity of children, forest school projects like ours encourage exploration, creativity, and resilience through hands-on experiences in the forest.
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Children are guided by their own interests and supported in developing confidence, independence, and a deep connection to the natural world. Risk-taking, problem-solving, and cooperation are nurtured organically as children build dens, climb trees, observe wildlife, and play freely in all weather. This philosophy values process over product, fostering not just cognitive development but also emotional, social, and physical growth in a holistic and meaningful way.