The Roots and Shoots team were out and about very early, setting up activity stations, but also erecting make-shift shelters from the rain. Spirits were not dampened though!
By the time the Little Fishes toddler group arrived, alongside children from Moss Side Lane Nursery, the rain had eased, and amazingly, it stayed away all day!
All the little ones made their way to the story area, and were delighted to accept the invitation to lie down on picnic blankets, looking up at the sky! Already, they must have realised that this was not going to be an ordinary day. They chatted about things around them they could see, hear, touch, taste and smell. They were given basil and mint leaves as a learning experience and to aid the discussion.
Following a story and prayer from Rev. Naomi, the children toddled off to explore the activity stations, bursting with exciting things to do.
A sensory tray full of sand, was the hiding place for natural objects. Little ones were encouraged to excavate the objects, and explore the different textures.
The area for creating ‘Streamer Sticks’ was a popular choice. After picking a stick from the woodpile, children were asked to select some multi coloured ribbons and pipe cleaners, choosing a colour to represent something or someone of importance to them. The ribbons were then wound round the stick, connecting everything and everyone together.
Meanwhile, the mud pit was gathering much attention! It provided an opportunity for creative play, a chance to get messy and draw pictures and shapes in the mud using the objects to hand. Again, by enjoying the different textures, the children were encouraged to think about how creating our lives together is such a joy!
At the end of the session, drinks of juice and homemade biscuits were enjoyed.
The next excited arrivals were Key Stage 1 pupils from Stalmine Primary School, followed by Key Stage 2. They too gathered together in the story area for chat, story and a prayer, led by Rev. Naomi before beginning the activity trail.
Nature Weaving was a star attraction with this group. Using cardboard looms, the pupils wove natural items together on the loom, with some stunning results!
The sound of hammering echoing all-round the grounds could be traced back to the Pressure Pictures Tent! After gathering some foliage and flowers together and placing them on a piece of cotton, which was then folded in half, the children hammered the fabric with all their might! The result? Pretty and lasting imprints of nature’s treasures. This activity was a great ‘hit’ with all the youngsters!
All children were given the opportunity to plant a bean and watch it shoot some roots! Simple equipment – jam jars, kitchen roll, a bean and some water enabled all age groups to participate and take their ‘treasure’ home as a reminder of our own roots, capacity to grow alongside others with the potential to bear fruit.
Older children seemed to love the gravestone challenge…starting at the church gates, they became detectives and discovered the answers to questions by following the clues on the sheet.
The community den was a work of art in progress! Willow branches were carefully woven through the canes, to build the walls. Decorations were added (pressure print pictures), transitioning the structure into a community hub! By the end of the afternoon, it summed up the purpose of the day, to reflect on our roots and grow from them, learning from the past and looking forward to the future.
The objective for the day was to celebrate community, to explore nature and in so doing, to connect with each other. Was it met? Yes, a thousand times over!
