Christmas trees and bear hunts
At the beginning of the week the children were fascinated by how the chillier temperatures changed the outdoor environment. There was lots of frozen puddles which were so enjoyable to break and many frosty tree stumps perfect for making glove prints. With the colder weather the educators have had to ensure children stay warm. As the popular forest school motto says, “There is no such thing as bad weather just bad clothing”. We make sure all the children have enough layers on, warm waterproofs and hats and gloves. We are amazed by how quickly the children adapt to this new routine as well as can find new ways to do their favourite activities while wearing thick gloves.
This week we have also kept warm by going on adventure walks. By constantly moving and exploring the children spirits remain high. On walks this week we have continued looking for mushrooms, the favourite we found was called turkey tail which looked just like a turkey tail! Also, while out for a walk we were able to find lots of leaves perfect for making beds. The children took turns lying down and having their friends put leaves on top of themselves, carefully as to not put leaves on their face. Once all the children were buried, they had tremendous fun standing up quickly and watching all the leaves fly everywhere.
As we are heading into the month of December, we have decided to begin some Christmas crafts. First, we made individual Christmas trees out of cardboard and decorated them. Next, we made our own forest school Christmas tree by collecting sticks, sawing them, and then tying together to hang up in our play areas. This has sparked so many conversations among the children about if they have a Christmas tree yet at home and what they like to do with their families at this time of year.
Another element of the week has been all the bear hunts we have been on, mostly on the walk in and out of the forest. The children naturally began telling the story and with support from an adult would travel through the forest finding all the features from the bear hunt such a mud, river, and a cave. Inspired by the forest animals as well as animals the children love, we have also turned the story in to a shark, wolf and T-Rex hunt. What a fantastic way to continue a story in the forest.
It has been another wonderful week at Wimbledon and the highlight has been the fox that comes on site most afternoons. The children watch in awe as he wonders around site, making sure to be still and quiet as to not startle the fox!
Little Forest Folk
Wimbledon