Hello Parents & Carers,
Welcome back to the Forest School Blog…
Last week at Oxford Road we made winter scented coasters with the preschool children. We used clay as the base for their coasters and decorated them with a selection of winter spices including: cardamon, cloves, star anise and cinnamon. Using a whittled branch, we then helped the children to etch the first letter of their name in the middle. This activity really focused on senses and fine motor skills/pincer grip. We discussed how the different spices could be used in cooking, baking and to warm a winter drink. This should be a pleasant accompaniment for a warm cosy hot chocolate over the festive period!
At Norfolk Road the children were continuing to practise their gardening skills including raking and sweeping, cleaning the pond and navigating the wheelbarrow around the woodland area. The children also enjoyed role playing, going shopping and looking for the gruffalo.
At Harborne Road we had our first campfire with the preschool children on Wednesday afternoon. They enjoyed seeing how the fire was set up and toasting their marshmallows. On Thursday the other preschoolers had the opportunity to do campfire role play (the rain prevented us from having a real one) but they still enjoyed the novelty of the activity. The children also wanted to practise their tool use and so we had the opportunity to use the secateurs again. This week the toddlers enjoyed naming bugs and making shapes out of sticks.
Another gentle reminder … to please remember to bring spare clothes for your little one/s (especially on Forest School days), wellies and wetsuits, to ensure that your child can make the most of waterplay and wet weather!
Oxford Road: making winter coasters and decorating the willow with shape mirrors.
Norfolk Road: mud painting, gardening, role play shopping, feeding the birds.
Harborne Road: campfire, making shapes with sticks, naming bugs and animals, using tools.
