Welcome back to the Forest School Blog…
Last week at Harborne Road we had fun planting a few varieties of tulip bulbs that came all the way from Amsterdam; they were kindly brought in by one of the children in preschool. We discussed the importance of wearing gloves to protect our hands when gardening, learnt about using a hand trowel to dig our compost and spoke about how long we would have to wait to see the tulips in Spring next year. The children also enjoyed storytime and making an array of dishes in their role play mud kitchen activities.
At Norfolk Road we had our first campfire. The children learnt about the elements that make up fire (fire triangle) and how to stay safe around the campfire. They enjoyed toasting their marshmallows and snacking on their delicious treats! The toddlers had lots of fun enacting lots of domestic role play in their playhouse, as well as entertaining themselves by collecting water from the water butt.
We also had a campfire at Oxford Road; both preschool and toddlers. It was the toddlers’ first time and they demonstrated great patience and understanding of safety around the campfire. The children have also been practising their weaving and climbing skills using the willow den.
I have been very impressed with all the children who have engaged in campfire activities with me so far. They have shown their staff that they can do great listening and have exercised great patience. I am really looking forward to introducing the campfire at Harborne Road and developing this across all three sites over the coming months. Help us reinforce campfire safety by printing off the activity sheets below and having a go with your little ones. The more they practise the more confident they will become engaging with campfires!
Bonfire Fire Triangle Worksheet
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!
Norfolk Road: campfire, domestic role play in the playhouse.
Harborne Road: planting, mud kitchen, storytime, mark making with chalk.
Oxford Road: campfire, weaving willow, making muddy puddles, climbing the willow.
