Christmas is on its way!
What a great week we have had in the forest! The children have spent their time building dens and creating pictures with the things they have around them in the forest. Everyone has enjoyed the fallen leaves in the forest, and we have been looking at all of the different colours and shapes of them. There have been pictures created and leaf confetti made all using the things we have around us. The children have loved using natural resources to create their masterpieces and it has been great watching the joy on their faces when they can show others what they have done.
One of the big things in bunny group this week has been painting. We have used the powder paint to make the colours that we want and to the texture that the children wanted. We spoke about the paint being thick or runny and what difference that can make when painting on the paper. Some of the children wanted to make colours that we didn’t have, so we spoke about mixing them to make other colours. The children learnt about mixing red and blue to make purple, and how adding different amounts would change the final colour.
They have also enjoyed using the leaves to print onto paper. We found leaves that had good patterns on and then the children painted onto them and pressed them onto the paper. They looked at all the lines and shapes that each leaf had and compared them to other peoples. It was lovely to watch as the children discussed the similarities and differences between their prints and why they might be different.
The fox group has also been creative and have been making music in the forest. Maria set up a music station using pots and pans and the children would create beats. They made beats to go along with songs they already knew or made up completely new songs. Everyone loved listening to what each other had created. The children realised they could use different objects to make different sounds and that the harder they hit, the louder the sound would be. We had our very own forest band!
Our children have also enjoyed going on adventure walks this week. The bunny group spent some time going to the frog pond and checking to see how much the water had risen. Each time we go the pond the children use the sticks around them to measure the depth of the water, checking how high up the water comes and comparing it to their own body before going in. We have also been talking about the pond weeds that are growing and the moss on top. The children looked at how they all grew on top of the water and we discussed why this happens. It has been interesting for the children to watch the pond grow and develop as the year has gone on and the seasons change. They have gained more of an understanding of the forest and how it is always changing.
Now as December approaches we have an abundance of festive activities happening to get the children excited for the big day!
Throughout the week of the 14th-18th December we will have lots of activities and treats for the children to take part in, celebrating all things Christmas! We will be making Christmas wreaths, ornament cookies and reindeer crowns, along with decorating a Christmas tree and writing letters to Santa (just in case he needs an extra reminder of what our lovely children wish for Christmas). There will be songs and games for them to play, all topped off with a message from the man himself, Santa Claus!
It’s going to be a very exciting week and we can’t wait to see the children enjoy it!
Little Forest Folk
Wimbledon