Nursery set off for the woods together, with their waterproofs and wellies. On the way to the woods the children spotted some holly leaves, flowers and berries. They saw lots of large chestnut leaves on the floor and each picked some up. Some used them as wings, some as rabbit ears.
Once in the woods, the children each found two sticks. They then used the sticks to tap out some rhythmic patterns and learn a song together. Then there was time to explore and play in the woodland. There was some excellent turn taking and balancing on the slack line.
The children had a go at balancing and bouncing on it.
Each of the children and had a go at making their own stick men. They used gloves and peelers to peel a willow stick. They then had a go at drawing a face on it and used pipe cleaners to attach leaves and as arms. They then used them to play with in the woodland.
Some then made plates out of clay for their stick people to eat carrots, apples, ham and salami. Some of the children also made them a little house with a leaf carpet and stick roof. We read the story of ‘Stick man’ at the end of the session as the children had their snack in the woods.
The Impact of Forest School for the children is the knowledge the children have gained from the Forest School experience. The impact can be seen through the skills, tools used, art and craft activities, observations and knowledge of the fruit, plants trees in relation to the seasons and the skills involved in learning how to play Forest School games. Some children found a shield beetle on a leaf.
Well done Nursery, it was great to see the children following their own ideas and fascinations and engaging so well with the woodland environment. A huge thank you to the parent volunteers who came and supported the children so brilliantly and got involved in all of their play. We can’t wait until next time!
