Recently in the Burrow we have been focusing on encouraging the children to be as independent as possible. Whether this is during Forest School, lunch or free flow. All the adults in the Burrow have been working together to facilitate and help the children to increase their independency on task.

“I can’t do it” or “you do it” is something we often hear in the Burrow and often our first instinct as adults is to want to help them. Instead of jumping in straight away we have been giving the children confidence and encouragement for them to try. Showing them how to do it has also been a success. The toddlers in particular struggle to take off their wellies. We have been showing them where to place their hands and how we have to pull them off.

Jayne (co-owner of Free Rangers) recently came into the Burrow to help with lunch, she was amazed by how well the children eat their lunch and sit at the table. All knives and forks were being used and the children were great at drinking from their cup. When it was time to wipe our hands/face with our flannel the toddlers could do it all by themselves.

If a child asks for help and really struggles, we are more than happy to help, we just like them to try before we step in and this promotes resilience, determination and a thirst to succeed.

Please see some photos of the Burrow children doing things by themselves!

Thanks for reading,

Lauren