During the morning session (22 boys only reception group) there was a monster theme throughout.  We looked for some clues such as footprints, scratches and paw marks on tree trunks.  The children immersed themselves in the theme and had great fun making something for the monster.  Some of the children also gave the monster names such as ice monster or fire monster.  I was paired up with a group of 5 boys and we decided to make a trap for the monster using only sticks and tied it around with ropes -> creativity.  During the afternoon session, a group of 7 children (ages 3 to 7), some of them home-schooled, and we built a tipi.  We also learnt how to make clove hitches and worked together as a team to tie the three main tree trunks together for the tipi.

Thinking about the subject and argument for my presentation, I’ve decided to do it around children’s creative learning.  I would like to explore how children in the forest school can freely explore the natural environment and create something from their imagination, act it out if they wish to or share it with their peers.  I’m intrigued by this type of freedom children have in the forest school compared to previous experiences in other early years setting (nursery and reception class) where children are usually being told what to do and what is expected from them.