Our Week in the Forest...
This week has seen us fully embrace the golden sunshine, crisp mornings and vibrant colours that autumn brings! The children have continued to take notice of the changes occurring around them and have had fun scooping up bright leaves by the armful to throw into the air.
When the team came together for our weekly meeting we took the time to reflect on our practice. We shared ideas and discussed trends or interests that have captured the children’s attention as well as inspired each other to new creative heights! One of the key ideas that we chose was the concept of specifically creating a space with loose parts, structures and non-directing resources during our set up in forest to see how the children incorporated it into their play.
Each morning we built a large, enclosed den structure in the same place, using pallets and planks with a large tarpaulin for a roof. Our Little Forest Folk-ers had access to an abundance of logs, branches, ropes, hammers and string to do with what they wished and every day saw a hive of activity focused on this area.
Having this focal point encouraged the children to mix their own play ideas with those around them and many role-play scenarios evolved as they moved in and out organically with their interest. Sometimes scenes of great drama were played out as the boat came under attack from “baddies” while at other, quieter times, friends fetched each other ingredients for dinner being cooked in the kitchen. They banded together to add anything their imaginations could conjure up; structural features and extensions, decorations to represent Christmas lights, pots and pans to cook meals for friends or tools to hammer and fix any wobbly parts.
It has been so inspiring and fascinating for the whole team to watch the children develop this space and appreciate how it has created an opportunity for individuals to join in with friends they might not normally gravitate towards.
Aside from this the children have shown great interest in all things art! From gathering around the drawing table, concentrating on detailed control of pencils, to bold and beautiful paintings on paper wrapped around tree trunks. Many of the children tell each other about their creations and we all love to eavesdrop on these child-led, friendly conversations.
Wishing you a lovely weekend and we look forward to seeing you all again next week!
Little Forest Folk
Fulham