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Tales and Trails
Local Forest School offering nature games, craft and bushcraft activities raising children's self-es
Sometimes the magic of Forest School begins long before anyone steps into the woods. 🌿![]()
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Last week, I invited our preschool families to bring along a few little treasures from home; feathers, shells, pine cones, ribbons… anything that could become part of a woodland mobile.![]()
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One little boy arrived with a bag full of treasures.![]()
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His mum smiled and told me she'd sent my message to his grandparents, who had happily searched their home for special bits and pieces they thought their grandson would love to bring.![]()
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I loved that.![]()
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In that moment, Forest School wasn't just happening in our woodland. It had already happened around a kitchen table, across generations, through shared excitement and thoughtful conversations.![]()
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As the children created their mobiles, I imagined them hanging from our wishing trees at Basecamp for everyone to enjoy.![]()
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But the children had other ideas. Almost every one of them wanted to take their mobile home.![]()
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They were so proud of what they'd made.![]()
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It reminded me that, for children, the greatest treasure isn't always the finished creation. It's the feeling of saying, "I made this."![]()
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I've shared a longer reflection on the blog about confidence, creativity, family and the quiet ways Forest School becomes part of everyday life.![]()
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🌿 You'll find the link in my bio.![]()
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If you'd like to receive reflections like this straight to your inbox each week, you can also sign up for my newsletter via the link in my bio 🦊![]()
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👇👇 What is something you made as a child that filled you with pride and why do you think you still remember it?
"I don't do activities anymore."![]()
"I'm boring."![]()
Those words came from a Year 6 child this week when I invited her to join a simple nature art activity.![]()
Ten minutes later, she was completely absorbed in hammering flowers onto paper, experimenting with natural paints, laughing and sharing ideas.![]()
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It made me wonder...![]()
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How many children stop doing the things they love because they think they're "too old"?![]()
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As children get closer to leaving primary school, I often see them trying on a version of themselves that feels more grown up. Sometimes, I think they're saying what they believe they're supposed to say, rather than what they really feel.![]()
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This week also reminded me that creativity has a wonderful way of bringing people back together. Children who had fallen out just days before found themselves creating side by side, without anyone forcing the moment.![]()
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Sometimes a calm, creative space is enough.![]()
I've written a longer reflection about what this afternoon taught me—not just about Forest School, but about belonging, growing up and giving children permission to still be children.![]()
You'll find the link in my bio.![]()
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🌿 If you'd like to receive reflections like this straight to your inbox, you can also sign up for my newsletter via the link in my bio.![]()
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I'd love to know...👇👇👇![]()
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Have you ever heard a child say they're "too old" for something they secretly still enjoyed?
Last week we opened our new half-term at Forest School with a beautiful activity all about family.![]()
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Each child collected leaves to represent the special people in their lives and even beloved pets, before creating their own family tree collage. There was such pride as everyone shared who makes up their world. The sparkle in their eyes while showing their finished trees said it all.![]()
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Moments like these remind me how important it is that every child feels deeply seen, valued, and welcomed at Forest School. This session created a strong sense of belonging, to their own families and to our little forest community too.![]()
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Together we talked about how trees grow, exploring the anchoring role of roots that help us reach high and wide. Surrounded by real trees, the analogy came alive. The children noticed the incredible variety in leaves,discovering that just like trees, no two families (or children) are the same.![]()
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It was a privilege to hold space for each child to share their story, deciding carefully where to place each leaf and speaking about the people they love with such care and tenderness.![]()
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A perfect reminder of how much learning happens at Forest School through play, exploration, connection, and nature. 🌱![]()
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✨ Want to join us? Spaces are available in our Wednesday morning sessions (10:00–11:15am). Message me 🦊![]()
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#forestschool #outdoorlearning #ChildLedLearning #natureplay #belonging EarlyYears LearningThroughPlay ForestSchoolUK NatureConnection ChildhoodUnplugged
