Our Week in the Forest...
It’s that time of year again where we build up to the christmas break and say goodbye, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to our friends in the forest. It has been a truly magical 2019 where we have seen our little forest folkers grow beyond recognition throughout the year developing into the wonderfully respectful, caring, compassionate and inquisitive outdoor children. Our new little friends that joined us in September have already shown amazing growth in understanding, sociability and a love for being outdoors that is beautiful to see. We never cease to be amazed by the capabilities and individual perspectives that every person brings with them to the forest and we cannot wait to continue this wonderful journey of growth and change next year in 2020.
We have had so much fun this week (as we always do), and our adventure walks continue to be some of the highlights of our days. The children continue to shock us with their stamina, exploring in up to two adventure walks a day ranging a wide area of the beautiful forest that surrounds us. The children continue to decide the routes that we take by democratically voting on their favourite choice, and when counted up the tally there are never any arguments and we all move together. On a few occasions this method took us to the lake where we were lucky enough to get close encounters with some of the biggest birds on the lake. A heron waited near us and we got a fascinating view of its long beak and legs. The children discussed what food they eat, and were excited to think that it eats fish that live in the lake. We were also followed around the whole lake by a pair of very inquisitive swans - the children were amazed by all the different sounds that the swans make to each other and to us as well.
For the children and our staff the rain, mud and puddles bring about a huge amount of joy and satisfaction to be outdoors in the wild. This pure happiness and engagement with the textures of the earth inspire the children to explore further - the children choose the muddiest possible paths on our adventures. So we squelch, slide, slip and tumble in some of the most beautifully disgusting mud around. Sorry about the extra washing!
As part of our festive fun we have made some christmas decorations and festive hats. Throughout the last few days the children have shown an interest in making crowns. With support the children have asked for a certain shape, before assisting with the cutting and sticking portion of their task. Throughout the activity the children showed a long attention span and great control of their fine motor skills. Ending up as mighty kings and queens of the forest! The children also made personalised festive decorations - after making a batch of tree cookies the children were tasked with selecting the first letter of their name.
Sounding out the letter and recognising the shape they selected the letters, before glueing the letter to a cookie and adding personalisation to the design by adding glitter and colour of their own choice. Some of the children have taken them home in their bags so don’t forget to personalise your homes this festive period!
Have a lovely Christmas break everybody and we are all really excited to see you again in the New Year!
Little Forest Folk
Wandsworth