Hello Parents & Carers,
Welcome back to the Forest School Blog …
Last week at Oxford Road the preschoolers were shown how to whittle willow sticks with a potato peeler and some had a go at using the secateurs to cut small twigs. These were both activities they really enjoyed doing and spent long periods of time focusing on. We spoke to the children about preparing the garden bed for growing fruit and veg soon and they took it in turns to add fresh compost. Other activities that the preschoolers and the toddlers engaged in included, climbing the willow den, making hot chocolate in the mud kitchen, mark making on wooden blocks, building and counting wooden shapes and balancing on beams and stumps.
At Norfolk Road the preschoolers and toddlers had the opportunity to do a campfire and we discussed what other foods they would like to cook in the future e.g. pizzas and pancakes. They all demonstrated great listening skills and patience sitting and waiting for their turn to toast their marshmallows. Other activities the children enjoyed doing included, whittling willow sticks with potato peelers, using the secateurs, gardening with their rakes and wheelbarrows, swinging in the hammock, building mini rivers by connecting pipes to the water butt, making a den for their wooden owl statue and creating shapes using sticks and branches.
At Harborne Road the preschoolers and toddlers had the opportunity to use tools this week also. They learnt how to whittle willow sticks with potato peelers, cut small branches with a bow saw in their sawhorse and assisted me with making dents in blocks of wood using a billhook. They also had the opportunity to listen to a story book whilst eating their snacks on blankets in the sunshine.
Another gentle reminder … The weather has been significantly cold and temperatures are dropping very low, it is imperative that all children have waterproofs, coats, gloves and hats, especially on Forest School days to ensure that they are safe and can enjoy their sessions outdoors.
Oxford Road: tool use, mud kitchen, climbing, mark making and balancing.
Norfolk Road: campfire, tool use, water play, connecting and building, swinging in the hammock and den building.
Harborne Road: tool use, role play setting up a campfire, mark making and storytime.
