'Forest schools' help nature education branch out

Children nationwide are being encouraged to interact with the living world to foster eco-awareness and protection. Li Yingqing reports from Kunming, with Li Hongyang in Beijing.

Since 2016, a growing number of parents nationwide have signed their children up for extracurricular nature classes during the summer and winter vacations, in the hope they will play with animals and plants rather than smartphones and iPads.

The courses are usually provided by private companies, and the students' subsequent behavior and interests suggest that such classes can help them develop respect for nature and promote a sense of environmental awareness and stewardship.