Our happy Little Forest Folk-ers have delighted in frolicking in the autumn forest this week. Gathering up armfuls of dry leaves and tossing them up into the air, filling boxes and then climbing in to wiggle around comfortably and creating nests for themselves, as well as using leaves as canvases for their creative painting,

A considered decision was made by the children one day that the climbing area needed revamping, so our old structure was dismantled and they all worked together, like Christmas elves, moving planks and pallets around the forest to rebuild our climbing mountain. A myriad of instructions were given to the educators regarding the tying of the ratchet straps, the angle of the mountain and tightness of the ropes. Once we had accomplished our monumental task, the climbing resumed and the mountain was conquered. Trolls who live under the mountain of course came out and marauded about the forest, roaring and running, and growling and grunting.

As always, our forest is full of bird song, squirrel chatter, the hooting of the passing trains as well as the songs, music and rhythm of the children. Our favourite songs are sung and we beat the rhythm on drums or with boomwhackers. The latter musical instrument stands in as a pirate's telescope as well. As Halloween and bonfire night passes, we move on to winter and Christmas songs, but “the wheels on the bus” and “who lives in a tree?” are always a favourite.

Using their rich imaginations, our Little Forest Folk-ers have enjoyed creating Rangoli art with coloured salt, built imaginary bonfires with sticks and paper, and they have measured and poured whilst creating potions of powerful elixirs. With nature as our playing space, we know anything is possible while in the forest.

Little Forest Folk
Twickenham