Forest School Sept - Dec 2024

Forest School May - July 2024

Robin's and Fledglings this year will be enjoying weekly, afternoon forest school sessions. This involves interaction with each other where communication is learnt and confidence gained.

Our afternoon started with each child selecting a colourful feather and then they were asked to thread an assortment of leaves on to it . They looked very attractive when the children had finished. We moved on to weaving around two sticks to create another pattern, not as easy as you might think when you have a long piece of wool to deal with. Well done to everyone for demonstrating fine motor skills today.

Once finished the children went into free play and we had the cook busy making chocolate soup also bird spotting with binoculars and playing on and in the tunnel as well as pretend fishing.

Weaving and Threading

Thinking about the topic 'The Fire Of London', Robins were able to build their own wattle and daub wall. A group of children started by hammering in willow into the soil to start the frame structure. Following this another group wove willow around the uprights to provide strength to the uprights. Once this was completed we had a base to put the mixture of mud and hay on to the sides. It was very sticky plastering this on but for some of the children, the stickier the better.

Wattle and Daub

Fledglings were very eager to help with the last part of the welly stand and as you can see below enjoyed using the screwdriver today. In between this the children were using mallets to break open rotting logs or playing kitchen where a soup was being served. At the start of the session we found some fallen branches whilst on a hunt for conkers and these the children moved safely into our forest school area.

Mallets and screwdrivers

Our focus today was sawing wood, then screwing pieces together, followed by assembling part of the new welly stand. Most of the children had a go at the sawing but apart from that they were playing dens, making potions, making faces from nature, using mallets to construct small houses from sticks, discovering nature in damp corners - in this case a large frog that we rehomed in the pond area for its own safety - and playing with planks to make impromptu seesaws. What a busy afternoon.

Making a welly stand

Today the fledglings were asked to create rubbings from different surfaces using a variety of colours. When they had finished this activity they selected their best bit and this was then cut out to form the badge inner. They also used nature to make a face in the mole hills and had time for free play in the forest school area.

Badges and Faces

This wasn't the easiest of activities today as we started outside then moved inside due to a thunderstorm but the children were helpful in stuffing the hessian, clothing and footwear. Other children assisted in holding the willow as it was bond together to create an arm and strengthen the legs. We still have hair to complete which will comprise of ivy strands and a central pole will be required to support Calamity the scarecrow in the field.

Scarecrow Constructing

Fledglings have enjoyed their time in and around the forest school area today. Our afternoon started with games that required turn taking and participation. Following this the children ventured into the forest school area where they added an animal of their choice to the cave art before den building, camp fire making, role play and enjoyed the impromptu seesaw which was a hit with them all.

Exploring the Environment

Following on from the topic 'Cave Baby', the Robins children made up a solution of slurry and then finding a suitable painting tool created pictures from images that dated back 40,000 years! What fabulous results we achieved today.

Cave Painting

Creating Mud faces was the theme of forest school for Robins and Fledglings children, although the Robin hedgehog mud sculptures turned out very well indeed.

Mud Faces Fledglings

Mud Faces

Welcome Fledglings as you start exploring the forest school area. We started with a little bit of parachute fun, 'Catch the Ball', followed by exploring the forest school area. tree climbing, fire building, making a den, going on a boat ride and water play. A perfect way to end the week.