This week the children wanted to visit the same site as last week but wanted to get there as quickly as possible so we could spend lots of time exploring. We found an old stream and immediately the children wanted to get inside and negotiate a route through. As we arrived onsite, the children split themselves into three groups, one decided to venture into the dried up swamp, another ventured to the big puddle/swamp and the others wanted to climb trees.

The dried up swamp provided the children with amazing balancing opportunities whilst the puddle/swamp provided lots of splashing and jumping in muddy water. The children who chose to climb the tree learned new skills in communication, gross motor skills and problem solving.

After lunch we headed away from this site and into a more sheltered one as we needed a little shade from the sun. On the way we discovered footprints. Luckily one of our children had already identified the type of animals which live in the forest. He knew immediately it was a bear! We had swishy swashy grass, trees, a cave and mud. He must be right! Luckily, he even had his bear book with him which provided an insight into what kind of bear. After a lot of discussion, we finally concluded, we have brown bears living in our forest school. Lucky us!