This week in the forest, our Little Forest Folk community has welcomed in Holiday Campers, and it has been excellent to see the way that our full timers have played happily with new faces, showing them the ways of the forest whilst soaking in new ways of doing things. The Holiday Camps traditionally bring in some slightly older children too, who bring their own new worldly understandings that help our children to experience ideas beyond their own. This week we have learnt about the word “respect” taught in Year 1, which is a perfect amplification of our own “kind and gentle” rule. Much like society is a fantastic mix of all ages, we see that the broader mix of ages in these Holiday Camps is highly beneficial to the development of Little Forest Folk children. Where children without older siblings are entering into reception in September, these Holiday camps are a great gentle exposure to the mixed environments of primary schools.

In the forest this week, educator Dan constructed a working rocking horse that was adapted over the length of the week. It began as a large, long log, suspended by smart knot work, which children loved riding on, clinging to the person in front whilst gleefully GIDDY UP’ing. Later, it was converted into an Ankylosaurus, with a large shapely log for a clubbed tail and a face drawn onto a large disc of wood, all attached with paracord. Its final form greeted us on Thursday morning; an intricate Equus with a long neck, a head flowing with mane, four striding legs and a swishing tail all constructed from forest materials, rope and string. Many adventures were had on the horse and I’m confident it will come and visit us again!

Have a great weekend everyone and enjoy the cooler weather!

Little Forest Folk
Wandsworth