Another great week has passed in the forest! The weather has been milder, with foggy mornings and cloudy skies creating a soft, enchanted atmosphere in our camp. We have embraced the weather by snuggling in for story times and explored every muddy puddle in the forest as usual. From winter crafts, to imaginative play, it’s been a week full of wonder and festive cheer!
Advent Calendar
The countdown to Christmas is well and truly underway at Little Forest Folk Chiswick. Every day this festive season, we bring out our Advent Calendar filled with daily surprises. Each afternoon, one lucky explorer gets to open one of our small, festive bags to reveal a hidden treat inside. It’s a lovely way to bring some extra magic on the cold winter days and see how the children eagerly gather around the lucky child to see what exciting surprise awaits.
Winter Crafts: Snowflakes and Reindeer
This week we have dived into some festive winter crafting, starting with cutting paper snowflakes. The children used scissors to create intricate designs, learning about symmetry and patterns as they snipped away. It was a wonderful opportunity to practice fine motor skills while celebrating the beauty of winter.
Next, we turned our attention to Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Using a cardboard box, we transformed it into a reindeer’s face, and the children used sticks for antlers. They had a great time throwing rings from a distance, aiming to land them on the antlers. This playful challenge helped develop hand-eye coordination while adding a festive touch to our camp.
Pattern Recognition with Hopscotch
We also explored patterns in a fun and active way by playing hopscotch using hula hoops. The children practiced recognizing different patterns with the hoops, hopping from one to the next in the correct sequence. This game was not only a great way to get moving but also a wonderful opportunity for the children to explore early math concepts such as number sequencing and pattern recognition.
Pinecone Discoveries and Decorations
Our ongoing pinecone exploration continued this week as the children collected pinecones from the forest. They then decorated them with paint, and natural materials, transforming the pinecones into beautiful Christmas decorations. It was a lovely way to incorporate creativity and nature, and the children were fascinated by the different shapes and sizes of the pinecones they found.
Mud Kitchen: Sweet Shop and Dentist
The mud kitchen was bustling with activity this week as the children set up a Sweet Shop, selling chocolates, truffles, and other delicious treats. It was a real-life role-play experience as the children took turns being the shopkeeper, customers, and even the delivery driver. The real fun came when we decided to set up a dentist next to the shop, turning the game into an opportunity for learning about mouth hygiene. The children had a blast discussing the importance of brushing teeth after enjoying too many sweets and pretending to care for each other’s “teeth” with their dental tools.
Thank you for another amazing week in the forest. We are all looking forward to more festive fun next week!
Little Forest Folk
Chiswick