The rain did not stop our play today! We moved closer into the copse and built our shelter first. We had fun playing on the hammock, some tool work with hammers and ended our cosy session with a story round the fire. It felt very Autumnal!
Author: jennyf74
Bubble Magic
Fun with bubbles this morning as we tried to catch them, follow them and in some cases eat them! The group came together for the beginning and then all disappeared – doing their own thing with the parents/ carers following their child’s interests. For a moment the site seemed very quiet as the children claimed ownership of their wood, logs and bogs and nothing else was needed to facilitate their play. It was lovely.
We also had the chance to mix meadowsweet potions, collect flowers and make some pictures and investigate the terrific trees with our magnifying glasses.
Providing Possibilities
Forest School is child led with activities set out to provide possibilities. The activities are designed to support and extend children’s learning and development – plus I love reading about different ideas and things to try. No child has to participate and the parent/ carer is encouraged to follow their child’s play. Often all they need is their own imagination! Through observing the children I have an opportunity to think about what may work the following week. Not every session is a success, we learn and laugh together.
Come along and see what you think!
Volunteer Session
Many thanks to the volunteers today for helping lay new bark paths, cut back nettles, make a bench and create some stepping logs. Hard work on a hot day but the site is looking great!
Tom Francis Tree Services
So very grateful to these great guys today for their work making the fallen Willow safe. Pat and I approached Tom Francis and talked to him about the Outdoor Classroom and Tom did not hesitate in offering the tree services of his business to make the area safe for our use.
For any tree services enquiries I would recommend Tom Francis and his team. www.tomfrancistreeservices.co.uk for further information.
International Mud Day 2017
It was Mud Kitchen day today for the Nature Noodles!
The children were provided with the opportunity to pour, mix and make some mud pie creations/ cup cakes. We added smells from meadowsweet and sticky weed and some bugs (plastic!) for decoration.
Some children preferred banging the wooden spoons on the trays to make music, there was some collecting and exploring and the chance to make simple stick mobiles.
Food for bugs was prepared and stories were read before gathering together for our Happy/ Sad face time and our goodbyes until next time.
Woodland Rhymetime Session 28th June
Unfortunately due to illness this session is cancelled. Further session dates will be posted shortly.
Come and join us at the woods on Wednesday 28th June 1.30-2.30pm for an hour of music, magic and storytelling with Katie Paton.
£3 per child, £5 per family.
Recipe for Elderflower Cordial
The recipe I use is one I put together after browsing the Internet – mine was too sweet this week so I would add a little less sugar.
10 large elderflower heads (nice and white)
900g granulated sugar (reduce this according to taste)
600ml water
2 lemons
Pick off any bugs (!), cut off stems and leaves. I gave my flowers a rinse in cold water. Place the flowers in a large pan.
Heat the sugar and water in a pan until the sugar dissolves. Cut off the ends of the lemon and slice up – my daughter did this, I don’t think it makes any difference how neat it looks!
Pour the hot syrup over the elderflower add the lemons and stir. Cover the pan for around 24 hours, though I know some like to leave it for longer.
Strain the mixture using muslin or kitchen paper and pour into your container/ jug.
I diluted mine with still water but I think fizzy would be good too. Some may even add vodka. Enjoy!
Summer Solstice Mandalas
Not so sunny this morning but at least we escaped the storms.
We began with some frog leaping around which quickly developed into “123 Where are you ribbet!” 🐸
After being frogs jumping off logs some went to use the clay set out whilst others explored. Clear plastic cups, magnifying glasses and spades were left out and there was talk about why the ground was so hard and what we may need to make it soft. Water was the key.
Some of the girls found the chalk set out and went to draw some pictures on the pathway. I had some flowers and added these to the mix, we talked about mandalas and I left them to it. They look so pretty!
BRIC 2017
BRICproject.org
I was very excited to be invited to attend the BRIC International Conference promoting childhood, public spaces and democracy held in Goteborg, Sweden.
All of the speakers were passionate about childhood and giving children a voice within their communities. As well as the conference organisers themselves who had instigated the project the keynote speakers were also very inspiring. The workshops gave everyone a chance to see and discuss different practices and approaches, to see similarities and discuss common problems with colleagues from Sweden, Italy and the United Kingdom.
I was provided the opportunity to speak within a BRIC panel at a workshop about reclaiming green spaces for children and we have all come home with more self belief I feel and drive.
NATURE NOODLES 