Play

Play is such an important part of kids lives.  I am so glad we have the opportunity to let our kids to spend so much of their time doing so.  It occurred to me, that even though it is the thing Evan and Autumn spend most of their time doing, I don't document or really mention it on this blog. I think the reason is simple, I'm not involved.  I am purposefully not involved in their play.  They don't want me involved, and don't need me.  My role is that of facilitator.  I provide them with opportunities, mainly, rather than specific ideas or stimuli.

Our outdoor space grows by the day as the children spread into the woods behind our house, beyond the badger set. Our garden could easily be described as a complete mess, or unkempt or even a tip.  I beg to differ.  It is an open ended environment in which children can learn, explore, play, cooperate, create, destroy, test, imagine and just be.  I find it easier to let this space be and give it over to them as I don't have to be in it the whole time, and there is much more space.

Our Mini Forest School

We seem to have staked a claim on the spot in the woods behind our house. We have a 'making' tree, for our creative projects, and are looking at developing a seating area, inspired by the brilliant forest playgroup we've been going to. This afternoon we made a scaredy caterpillar of enormous proportions, a smiley face, a mini den, and a downhill slide complete with flags like in the downhill skiing! We attempted a large den, but the surrounding trees were not great at facilitating this, so we decided to do this elsewhere. The sun was shining, it was quite warm, and plenty of birds were singing. I feel so much gratitude for this wonderful afternoon, and all the wonderful things that have happened to make it so carefree, easy and so scrumptious with my very amazing children. On returning home we let the guinea pigs have a play outside whilst autumn enjoyed the swing.

Woodland Snacks

We popped to the woods behind our home to cook an outdoor snack on our fire bowl. We took some dough to make some breadcakes. Also evan wanted to make a clay squirrel. So off we went. Took me a while to get the fire going, evan though we had brought some dry sticks with us, but it worked and I was very pleased, as we're th children. Yummy breadcakes, minus the burnt bits for the birds. Afterwards we made a bridge and mini home, and then evan stirred the fire bowl exploring the embers with great fascination.

Creative morning

We managed a lovely spot of art this morning.  Evan and autumn both made clay objects and added the funny foam sparkly topping to it,  that we got as a Christmas present.  Evan intended on making an Octopod,  but the structure couldn't withstand the arms,  so it became a mimic octopus instead. Autumn made a horse which became a unicorn. Evan used the thumbpot technique to make the octopus body,  and pipe cleaners to create the apatures beneath the clay,  as did autumn for the unicorn.

They both expressed a wish to make faerie homes in the woods,  so we popped out behind the house to the ancient woodland to find a good spot.  A small clearing became the setting.  Evan chose a small structure on a tree to make a faerie home.  Autumn made a bed,  and created a spikey roof to spike the bottoms of dragons to keep the faeries safe.   This was inspired by our time at forest school last week.

Hidden woods... and how to expose them

A lovely lady shared this poem and film on the Home Education group I'm part of, and it is such a wonderful combination of sharing the outdoors and beautiful words.  I am so pleased that our lives will encompass many hours and days spent in woods, surrounded by our amazing deciduous trees, making fires, building dens, making art, having fun with friends and family. What a wonderful place we live in.

It is really exciting to notice the Forest Education Initiative is alive and kicking, and making waves and dens across the country, and many things going on in this fair City of Sheffield, with our amazing plethora of green spaces.