Hello Everyone!
As usual we have been having lots of fun in the forest this week. However, this fun has been far more magical and Christmas-y than our normal natural explorations and activities. With the help of our visitor, Ruby, an elf from the North Pole, the forest has turned very festive. Whilst we were away, Ruby and some her fellow elves turned our greenhouse into a wonderful grotto complete with Christmas decorations, dressing up costumes (including a Santa costume), dazzling lights and a ‘Frozen’ themed large-scale painting that the children could use paint stamps to enhance. Ruby had also kindly left a present for each child in the grotto, having learnt all our Little Forest Folk-ers names over the last couple of weeks. She has loved watching our happy children having fun and playing so well together. One morning she was found hanging above the swing, after observing how much fun it was. Clearly some of our children have been eating their carrots as they could still spot her from the gate in the gloom of a December morning.
As many of you already have a tree up, the children used pinecones to create decorations to hang on them, choosing different coloured pom-poms to stick into the gaps and then with support from an educator, tying some string to the top. White was the most popular as some of the children wanted to make the pinecones look like they were covered in snow. Using another natural resource, the children made their own pomander. This involved taking some sweet-smelling oranges and piercing them with cloves. Once they were finished, the children tied a shiny ribbon around it and got to take them home at the end of the day to add a beautiful scent to their environment.
Making good use of two left over boxes, we cut some openings in them and painted them red in order to turn them into post boxes for Santa. The children have enjoyed spending the week mark-making on scrap paper pretending to write letters to him, asking for presents or declaring that they should be on the nice list. Many children were able to add a letter or two of their name to the paper so that Santa could reply.
Despite all the Christmas fun we have still managed to find time to explore the tuff tray with the ever-popular dinosaurs. This time we made a large swamp using sand, water, leaves and mud. Small stones were added to make ‘rocks’ that held back the swamp as makeshift dams. Some of the dinosaurs were seen climbing up on flowerpots to look for their lunch.
Since making a flag display for the forest area, each morning has led to interesting discussions about different countries, languages and flag colours/designs. This week we looked at the Chinese flag and talked about what the stars represented, and the languages spoken in China. Xiao added some wonderful stories about his extended trip across China and we practiced how to say hello and goodbye in Mandarin. We also talked about Chinese food and going to Chinese restaurants in England.
On the subject of Xiao, our fabulous forest manager, you may have already seen the news that he will be making exciting step of taking on the position of Operations Manager, working alongside Jeni. Whilst this is a fantastic opportunity for him, staff, children and I am sure parents are sad to see him go. Luckily for us, he has promised to pop in regularly! We also have a more than capable figure taking over from him, the brilliant Miranda. Miranda has assisted the children this week in making a lovely leaving card for Xiao which he will receive on Friday. It is also a very exciting time for Kelly our Lead Educator, who will be going on Maternity Leave from the end of December. She will be another big loss to the forest but whilst away her duties will be covered by Louise and Celine. We cannot wait for her to bring in the new baby and will welcome her back in September.
As this is the last week for our sessional children, let me take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas, good health and a well-earned rest! We look forward to seeing you all in January and hearing about all your family fun!
Little Forest Folk
Twickenham