This week has seen us exploring the barn environment at Free Rangers, during the half term Ed has ‘big girls’ and boys’ for holiday club. They tend to use the upper space of the paddock, leaving us with the assault course, mud hill and pond area. However looking at the weather for this week you could just about see the south west under all the rain forecasted so heading under cover seemed best!
After we had our snack we spoke about our forest school rules; emphasising the fire rule due to our activity. We then recalled the 3 little pig story; remembering key events and using key words which are used through the story. This is our main story in the Burrow at the moment which has seemed to be a huge hit with the children!
I introduced the fire lighting activity, producing to the children our cotton wool, slab of wood and fire steel. Demonstrating what we will be doing I knelt down on my knees and showed them what they will have a chance to do! Striking the fire steel for the first time I caused silence over the children, slowly smiles came onto their faces and they seemed to enjoy the excitement!
Around the barn I set up 3 different activities for the children to explore. These were a table of straw for them to blow off, a table with a house and sticks and a mat with lots of bricks to build a house. Trying to get as much as the story in as I could we used the fire lighting to link with the big bad wolf burning his bottom on the fire (and of course for a two year old I think this is one of the favourite parts). This activity will also link in with our fire lighting next week.
One at a time the children came over to get stuck in with using our fire steels. The children firstly fluffed out their cotton wool and placed it onto a slab of wood, getting down on their knees they explored the fire steel before we lit. “This is our fire steel, it is going to help us light a fire. Place your thumbs in the boats and use this bit to strike”- showing them what to do and giving them a little guidance.
When we were ready the children and adults struck the cotton wool causing it to catch fire, most of the children seemed very intrigued and enjoyed watching the fire. Others were a little more aware taking a step back once the fire was lit; I think this was due to age and whether the children have been involved with a fire before. One little boy told us daddy does the fire at home and he couldn’t get enough of using the fire steel.
During our week we learnt lots about our 3 little pig story and had the chance to be a little pig ourselves! We also tested our fine motor skills and fire safety through using our fire steel J
Thanks for reading,
Lauren