Ahoy there, me hearties! What a barrel of laughs we’ve had this week!
The children began the week aboard a “pirate ship,” sailing the sandy seas. A bustle of construction began on the forest floor, with many items taking new forms. The children huddled together for warmth and company, plotting their next adventure. There were pirates, captains, parrots, and more. Children designed treasure maps and set off between the leaves and trees, hunting for “gold.” Their play was elaborate and creative, rich in vocabulary, describing their adventure with details on who, what, when, and how. They used a number of items, such as crates, planks, and tires, which imaginatively turned into purposeful resources for their play.
The sound of our musical maestros drifted throughout the forest this week, gracing our ears with joy. Children shook their musical instruments, sang along to their favourite songs, and even composed their own lyrics. The pots and pans turned into percussion as they tapped away to their friends' tunes. Children danced along, moving their bodies in happiness.
We were very fortunate to receive a large donation of flowers this week. We started off by using them for still-life drawings, observing the colours and shapes. The children then used their fingers, paints, and glue to add a 3D effect to their art. Some matched the colours, others chose what their hearts desired, and some placed the flowers directly into their canvases. The following day, the children made their own treasure bags, pressing the flowers into the fabric. Some explored how the rocks made the flowers explode in colour, others tried to fit all the stones into their bags, and others collected items from around the forest and saw how they pressed into the fabric. They compared how some sticks would fit, while others were too long; some items were heavy, and others fit in perfectly.
This week, we say goodbye to a very special educator who has been at the forest for four years. Throughout this time, she has built strong relationships with parents, staff, and children, and she will be missed dearly. Her creativity is unique and of a high standard, an example that all educators have learned from. We value her expertise and dedication to making the children's learning purposeful. She encourages curiosity and autonomy in her setups and celebrates the individuality of each child. We thank you, Louise, for your hard work and wish you all the best in your next step.
Sadly, another child will be leaving the forest and is off to “big school.” He has also been in the forest for four years. This boy is creative, imaginative, kind, caring, and patient. He is an excellent role model to his friends and holds a special place in all of our hearts. We wish him all the best!
Thanks for another spectacular week. See you all next week!
Little Forest Folk
Twickenham