Choice

Often in a classroom you see 30 little models, all at least similar if not worryingly identical. 

These are a great demonstration of how to follow instructions, but not creativity. 

In Year 3 Forest School this week Sara Holman from Neurodiversity Me invited those who wanted to participate to create an animal. She had prompts that could (and in some cases were) be ignored, and a few tools, the rest was sourced from the floor! Twigs, Leaves, and Pine Cones created texture. Mud and Charcoal changed the colour of the clay. 

Hand-Eye coordination, dexterity, manipulation, muscles: all fine motor control was exercised and imaginations fired! Some children followed a prompt, some didn't!

Some made something, squashed it, and started again, and did this over and over.

Some were inspired by Forest School and made birds, bugs, squirrels, foxes, and hedgehogs, others made their favourite turtle or dolphin...

Some children took inspiration from what others made, the dolphin led to a mermaid and a starfish.

A few made 3D shapes, wrestling with the materials determined to find a way to make them structurally sound.

A few children did this activity of a whole hour, some started this way and to explore elsewhere once they were satisfied, while other wandered back from other activities to have a go. A few chose to not join in at all.

The next day we were cutting wood cookies, children found some discarded clay and used it to secure a hanging loop, or to glue something onto their cookie. A few made miniature snowmen to hang on their Christmas tree, one made a clay reindeer...

Creativity.

Art.

Process not product.


Choice.

Forest School is here to provide activities, facilitate opportunities, foster independence, and allow children to follow their own interest. 

Some of Years 3, 5, and 6 were literally filling their wellies with puddles, whittling sticks, and playing 'manhunt'!

Others were creating, concentrating, and cooperating like the pros they are.

Proof that even an adult 'focus' can remain child led.



Find Sara on LinkdIn in here



Location: United Kingdom

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