Our Week in the Forest...
With our Little Forest Folk-ers being so engrossed in map drawing, Linn introduced camera's to our adventure walks this week so children can start documenting landmarks they meet in their explorations in the small area just beyond our site too. The children took photos of the pathways, the bike riders that zoomed past, the 'ghost railway' as well as their favourite bench with the train carved into its back where they like to have snack. Reviewing their photo's we also noticed how much they enjoyed photographing their friends. It’s wonderful to see the world through the child's eyes and we can't wait to print and review the pictures with the children, hear their thoughts and reflections on them and how they will incorporate this into their map making
The site is also getting some much needed TLC this week. Dejan, with a number of helping hands, moved our snack area to the back of the forest so children can have some respite from the mud that is accumulating in this area and with this, other areas got moved too. This is bringing with it a change in views, new areas to explore and make their own. Our new mud kitchen area inspired some children to pretend they were Miranda preparing snack for their imaginary forest school children and one even sang while she served their bananas in a way Miranda does. So not only is it interesting to see the environment through the child's eyes, but its lovely to see what they notice in their adults too.
We have a child's parents who are studying bee's with the association next door and they came on to site to begin a project of making a bee friendly garden. While one parents started work on preparing the bed, the other parent supported our children to plant sunflower seeds. The children worked hard to fill their little flower pots, poke holes in the soil and then place their seeds inside before patting it down. They also wrote their names on lollipop sticks and these can be kept inside until they are ready to go in the ground. It will be exciting to keep reviewing their growth with the children and the garden will be an ongoing project. We are extremely grateful to parents who want to bring their skills and time to our children to ensure that their first hand experiences are varied and interesting.
The children have also been busy planting their trees and watering them and some of them left the greenhouse this week to enjoy some of the sunshine that made an appearance at the end of the week. With Spring on its way the children are noticing the tight leaf buds that are appearing on them and one tiny Rowan tree has already opened their buds to display that intricate and symmetric crown that the Rowan is famous for.
We hope you have a lovely weekend and the signs of Spring adorn your adventures.
Little Forest Folk
Twickenham