Saying goodbye to children, families, and educators on Friday of our first week was a surprise - the relationships with each other and the land sprung up so quickly over just 5 days!
Forest School takes a lot of trust and faith: that the land will provide just what we need, that children will know what calls them, and that as educators, we’ll know how to support that work. In my experience, there is always a moment of holding your breath - and always, always a sigh of relief as we get down to it.
The seasons, the weather and the land are the curriculum at our nursery school and this week was no exception:
On Monday, we foraged to make “fruit salad.’ We explored our paths and the garden too.
On Tuesday, we visited the apple orchard for the first time - what a spectacular, juicy, perfectly timed treat. We hauled some wood chips to help make our site a home - and helped make a home for a spider nest we accidentally uncovered.
On Wednesday, the smokey air drove us inside for the first time and we got to know another space. We told stories, played with dragons and ice cream and enjoyed indoor plumbing. In the park, we found new playmates and games - and space to keep foraging too.
On Thursday, we tuned in to the gardeners’ season as we discovered piles of corn stalks stashed all over. If you didn’t know, a corn stalk is perfect for reaching, jumping over, tug-oh-war, merry-go-rounds, folding, bending, and snipping. It’s not the first time we’ve found treasure in the compost pile!
On Friday, the wind whipped us up and out of the woods to be safe. We collected as many seeds as we could find and considered which ones fly on the wind - and how do those heavier ones get around anyway? We visited the apples again, feeling thankful for the harvest, the trees, the fruit.
Each day feels new, each day feels familiar, and each day we deepen our connection with each other and the land. Good, gentle, heart-filling work for all.
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