Adventure walks and Christmas crafts
This week there has been fewer children in the forest, but this does not stop the excitement and enthusiasm across our base camp. The children have been engaging in lots of climbing, using the imagination tree as well as fallen trees we have on site. Each time we go climbing children show an increased skill as well as confidence in themselves. Climbing is also such a great activity for children to begin to test their risk-taking abilities as they climb higher but still have an adult nearby just in case. In the forest we have also set up a rope course giving children another opportunity to test their strength and balancing. It has been fantastic seeing some of the older children demonstrate how to use the ropes and encourage the younger ones to have a go. Along with ropes we have also had a swing set up on some days in the forest, how fun!
As always, the Wimbledon Forest Folk-ers have loved adventure walks. During one walk this week a group of children spotted a Parakeet high up in the trees. The children watched in awe and soon another Parakeet popped out of the tree to say hello, the excitement on the faces of the children as they spotted this second bird was magical. We were also really lucky to spot a Heron during our adventure walk too! He stood majestically on a log over the brook. The children were all so fascinated and watched the heron so peacefully for a long time. The little ones even tried to copy the heron by seeing how long they could balance on one leg. One of the best parts of the forest is being surrounded by amazing wildlife and we never know what we might be so lucky to spot. This week has been such a treat, along with all the birds we have also spotted bunnies hopping on the meadow, a fox exploring and lots of dogs out for their daily walks.
Imagination play has been seen all throughout the week, the children are so easily inspired by their environment and home experiences to create the most fantastic games. We have had firefighters, reindeer pulling Santa's sleigh and chefs cooking in a restaurant. While visiting the piggy train, a group of children began acting out the story of the three little pigs, it was incredible to see how well they could recall the story and share it with one another.
As Christmas is soon approaching, we have continued exploring making Christmas crafts. The Bunnies group this week made Christmas cards, adding decorations including pipe cleaners, sticks and drawing Christmas pictures. They also had a chance to make candy canes by twisting two colours of card together. In foxes we have been exploring a sensory tray, filled with coloured rice and Christmas smells such as star anise and cinnamon.
Towards the end of the week the forest froze overnight. Meaning our morning walk in was full of crunchy grass under our feet and lots of icy puddles to explore!
It has been a fabulous final week of 2021, Merry Christmas everyone and we look forward to seeing you all in the new year!
Little Forest Folk
Wimbledon