Our Week in the Forest...
Easter has been and gone but the lingering memory of the delicious eggs and the extra long weekend hung in the children’s minds. The children’s stories from here, there and everywhere were shared on the walks in and out of the forest and throughout this week, bringing with them excellent comparisons of each of their holiday experiences. But glad we were all frolicking again in Fishpond Woods!
Looking. The children’s powers of observation exceed those of the adults in the forest, and with a little guidance they can pick out the smallest details time and time again. The insects are starting to hatch and come out in force and so the variety and splendour are being picked up by the children:
we’ve seen ladybirds galore on the nettles; hoverflies with their waspish colourings; spiders laying in wait for whomever may come by, or hidden behind their webs; and butterflies and bees have delighted the children with their flashing colouration's. Whether waiting on the benches or out on an adventure walk, the children have not stopped finding something new and exciting to share with each other!
Caring. Periodically throughout the year we get new children who have come to join our splendid nursery here in Wimbledon and this week has seen two such new arrivals. Sometimes the new children are a little wary and unsure of what to make of so many other children doing things that aren’t often observed in youngsters: climbing freely, getting their hands mucky (with pleasure!) and running hither and thither in the pursuit of dragons, dinosaurs, superheroes and every other bountiful imagining that springs to mind.
What comes, too, for these new children, is an acceptance and caring from our regular nursery children that is a marvel to witness. This week has seen our settlers instantly engaged in play (whether driving together in a car or hiding from dragons!) with the other children and being looked out for when they aren’t feeling so sure about all the newness of the forest. Sensitivity is what the children show for each other and it makes the heart swell with pride to see the best of human nature in our Little Forest Folk.
Food in the forest:
Our full April menu can be found on our website HERE
Recipe for our Cheese and Chia seed biscuits so you can make them at home:
Ingredients:
- 180g wholemeal flour
- 100g unsalted butter
- 120g grated extra mature cheddar cheese
- 50g grated parmesan/grana padano cheese
- 2tbsp Chia seeds
- 2/3 tbsp cold water to bring the dough together
Method:
Preheat the oven to 170C fan/190C normal. Line a baking tray with baking parchment.
Weigh the flour into a bowl and add the butter, cut up into little pieces. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour until it looks like breadcrumbs.
Add the grated cheese and chia seeds and mix it all together with a spoon. Add the water gradually until the mixture starts to form a dough. Work the dough until it feels like it is ready to roll out. You need to do this for a couple of minutes otherwise it will be too crumbly.
Roll out the dough on a floured surface until it is 5mm thick. Choose a cookie cutter you like and get cutting! The dough re-rolls really well so you can use up all the spare pieces.
Put the biscuits onto the baking sheet and bake for 15 mins or until golden brown.
Have wonderful weekend adventures!
Little Forest Folk
Wimbledon
