The Beach Schoolers and Kirsty @throughthehedge spent some time this week exploring natural clay. Clay is often overlooked in early years and schools for being a bit messy and unpredictable but it actually has the most incredible soft responsive sensory qualities. Clay lends itself to open ended creativity because children often need lots of time working withContinue reading “Clay Work”
Tag Archives: play
The Power of Playgroups
Playgroups have fallen out of favour in the UK in recent decades – they no longer appear to be seen as a valued place for early education for a number of reasons – the ‘schoolification’ of early childhood education has led to a rapid devaluation in the power of play. In the UK, the diversionContinue reading “The Power of Playgroups”
Six ways to make friends with the Wind
In our house we have a love/hate relationship with the wind – we admire the power of the wind to drive the many turbines out at sea, providing us with green electricity. We’re in awe of the power of wind to pollinate plants and disperse seeds. I am rather fond of the wind’s ability toContinue reading “Six ways to make friends with the Wind”
Embracing Animal Allies: Nurturing Nature Connection in Children
Going bird watching is a classic outdoor learning activity. An easy lesson in local species and diversity, it plays a role in citizen science, often with a bit of maths thrown in to boot. However, wild birds (apart from our ubiquitous herring gulls) can be quite an illusive bunch, especially when they’re faced with aContinue reading “Embracing Animal Allies: Nurturing Nature Connection in Children”
The Magic of Loose Parts – How to incorporate Loose Parts play in to everyday learning
Ever got frustrated that your child was more interested in the box than the Christmas present that was contained inside it? It’s because children have the most amazing unhindered imaginations. They are creative people that are able to make that simple box in to absolutely anything and everything. This is what we mean when weContinue reading “The Magic of Loose Parts – How to incorporate Loose Parts play in to everyday learning”
Have a Brew for 22q – 22q11 Deletion Syndrome and Forest School
22q11 Deletion Syndrome is a genetic condition that affects the lives of thousands of people. An estimated 35,000 people live with with 22q11 in the UK. It is one of the most common genetic conditions, after Downs Syndrome, but it is frequently misdiagnosed. One of our longest serving Beach Schoolers, ‘A’ was born with 22q11Continue reading “Have a Brew for 22q – 22q11 Deletion Syndrome and Forest School”
September at the Beach School
There was only one session of Beach School this September as I headed off to West Wales to have my own personal coastal adventure. However, we fully embraced our time on the beach with rockpooling, printing, kite making, homemade ‘telescopes’ and endless rounds of salt dough pizza. Enjoy the slideshow of our September adventures:
Social & Emotional Learning at Beach School
When I was a home-educator*, the most frequently asked question was about how my child would socialise. It felt like a bit of a preoccupation with any form of slightly alternative education. A holistic school or nursery setting can provide many social opportunities for children. However, it is really not the only way children can learnContinue reading “Social & Emotional Learning at Beach School”
Holdfast Beach and Forest School - East Kent, UK 