We had great fun rolling in the mud and exploring the Mini Forest.
Category Archives: Mini Forest Adventures
ECC Monday Mini Forest Adventures
The children spent a sunny afternoon in the Mini Forest, we took magnifying glasses with us to help find signs of spring growth and mini beasts.
The children found small red specks on a branch and thought it might be part of a ladybird, small buds beginning to grow on a shrub, and lichen on branches.
The children found a large piece of wood “Look Mrs Gray it’s a pencil…we can draw with it in the mud.”
The children continue to explore the area, using their imaginations to act out different scenarios, working cooperatively to find and discover interesting objects.
Mrs Gray and Mrs Murray.
Senses Walk
I can identify my senses and use them to explore the world around me. SCN 0-12a
Today the children used their senses as we explored the park area, we sat on the bench with our eyes closed using our sense of hearing. “Children, teacher, footsteps, running, the air in the trees, wind, birds singing, lorries,” are some of the things they initially heard. We then used our eyes as we walked, spotting a pirate flag in a garden, birds in the trees, puddles in the grass, sticks which we used to make sounds as we passed the construction and MUGA fencing. We then used the sticks to test how deep the puddles were and see if we could step in them safely, before using the sticks to fish out leaves.
We also used our imaginations wondering what would be kept behind the fence, “Maybe wolves, foxes, badgers, Mummy’s?” We explored behind the changing room building wondering “How can we get inside?” “Mmmm maybe we need a key!”
Well done everyone.
Mrs Gray and Mrs Murray.
Muddy Adventures in the Mini Forest
We were all very happy to return to the Mini Forest this afternoon.
We began, as always, with our ‘Safety Circle’ discussion during which the children recalled much of our ways to stay safe and what to look out for; “glass, dogs, spiky bushes, poisonous berries”.
To begin with, the main attraction was MUD! The children jumped, squelched, stomped and played at ‘getting stuck in the mud’, friends were on hand for rescue missions.
Then the group busied themselves exploring, climbing trees and rambling amongst the bushes. A catkin was spotted on the ground prompting a discussion about what they were and after some hunting the children founds lots more hanging from a tree.
A supper wriggly worm was noticed, we enjoyed observing how it moved along the ground. A campfire was built using sticks and we pretended to roast marshmallows beside it. When our session was over our line leader confidently counted “7” muddy children and “2” grown ups then helped lead us back to the ECC. We are looking forward to more adventures next time.
Mrs Murray and Mrs Mack
Monday Mini Forest
I am developing my movement skills through practice and energetic play. HWB 0-22a
I am learning to assess and manage risk, to protect myself and others, and to reduce the potential for harm when possible. (HWB 0-16a )
Today the children enjoyed the mud in a very wet Mini Forest. The children continue to evaluate their own risks as they manoeuvred within the area. They took extra care as they climbed into the trees, and navigated the muddy slopes.
The children loved sliding in the mud, being careful to make sure the area was safe before they slid. As you can observe from our photographs, we are so glad the children wear their waterproof clothing during our outdoor experiences.
The children enjoyed their energetic play, before returning to the ECC setting for snack.
Mrs Gray, Mrs Murray and Mrs Marshall.
A Very Muddy Visit
Today after a recall of safety rules the children enjoyed a very muddy visit to the Mini Forest. They had lots of fun getting stuck in the mud and working out between then how to get free.
The adventure continued with some tree climbing, investigating the moss on the trees and spotting the robin watching us.
We had an extra safety chat about picking berries from the bushes, all agreed that only the birds should have them.
Kind regards Mrs Murray and Mrs Thomson
Week 2 Mini Forest Adventures
We continued to discuss and evaluate our safety as we began each session, and as we explored the area. We used the litter pickers to help collect the rubbish in the area, taking it back to the ECC at the end of the session.
We enjoyed the mud using our senses, listening to the noise under our feet, feeling it squish through our fingers and looking as it as it stuck to wellingtons/gloves/suits/sticks etc.
We continued to explore the fauna and flora, look for insects, watch the birds, and discuss the berries we found.
Imaginative play continues to be popular as we make homes in the trees and bushes, with lots of fantastic descriptive vocabulary between peers and adults.
On return to the ECC we decided that next week we would explore the ‘Mini Beasts’ in the area.
Wednesday Mini Forest Adventure
I am learning to assess and manage risk, to protect myself and others, and to reduce the potential for harm when possible. (HWB 0-16a )
Another fantastic afternoon in the Mini Forest, starting with our safety circle, before we started to explore the area.
The children spent time assessing their own risk as they climbed into the trees, and manoeuvred through the bushes. They examined the flora and fauna, before discussing the catkins.
The children enjoyed making marks with sticks and their wellies in the sticky mud before returning to the ECC.
Mrs Gray and Mrs Murray.
Tuesday Mini Forest Adventure
I am learning to assess and manage risk, to protect myself and others, and to reduce the potential for harm when possible. (HWB 0-16a )
The children returned to the ‘Mini Forest’ enjoying a dry afternoon session, again beginning the session with our ‘Safety Circle,’ discussion. Talking about our boundary area, the risks of the car park area and listening for an adult voice or whistle to return together as a group.
The children explored the areas under the arch of the trees and bushes, listened to the noise the birds made in the large trees “Caw, caw,” found a birds nest high in a tree and enjoyed digging, scrapping and rolling the mud into mud balls.
Ending the session with a head count, a smile of enjoyment and a promise to return next week for more fun.
Mrs Gray and Mrs Murray.
Monday Mini Forest Adventure
I am learning to assess and manage risk, to protect myself and others, and to reduce the potential for harm when possible. (HWB 0-16a )
This week the children have returned to the ‘Mini Forest’ starting our session with a ‘Safety Circle’ discussion about things we need to look for while enjoying our time on our adventure. We had new and returning children, who made amazing contributions to our discussion, i.e. glass, dog dirt, prickly objects, dogs, our boundary.
The children then explored the area, working in small groups, discussing the length and width of sticks and branches “1,2,3,4,5,6 metres long.” “Longest stick…shortest stick.” How many children could fit into an area whilst playing ‘Mummy’s and dinosaurs.’
They enjoyed a snack of banana and cream crackers, before our line leader counted “10” children and “3” adults, altogether “13.”
Each week we will be working with the children to take forward their ideas to enhance their learning whilst outdoors. As a staff team we look forward to some fantastic adventures during our weekly sessions.
Mrs Gray. Mrs Murray and Mrs Marshall.
