A few impressions from our house and "our" Forest.
House + Garden
Crafting, painting, playing: A day at home.
"1, 2, 3, 4 . 19, 20 . " counts my daughter in the morning. Many steps up to the beautiful old schoolhouse in Tuntenhausen. As soon as they arrive, their friends run to meet us and take them into the group room. It is cozy here.
Rituals are of great importance in the daily kindergarten routine, and so, after the arrival phase, the groups start the day together with a morning circle. There’s singing and playing, talking and listening. After that it’s time for free play. Of course, the doll corner, the building corner, the painting table, or the many great table games are tempting. Also offers in small groups have their place in the morning. Music, creative activities, picture book viewing are just some of them. In the root group, there is also a regular listening club, a special speech and hearing program.
Every kindergarten day in the house -finds its end in the garden. Digging in the sandbox, hiding in the bushes, scrambling on the jungle gym or zooming around the yard on scooters and other vehicles. Of course I always come there too early to pick them up.
By Johanna Weinberger
Forest + construction trailer
Hiking, climbing, discovering: A day in the forest.
"Mom, is today forest?" Anna asks as she is bundled into her mud suit. Anna and her big sister are excited, they like forest days. Then in the car: rain, rain, rain. Anna "can’t" walk as usual and it goes on mom’s arm to the construction trailer. There, Anna discovers Birgit, who is already making fire, and can suddenly run after all: with her big sister to the swing until the others are there. Finally, the group marches to the mole field – "Early gymnastics, that has to be".
For Anna, barely more than twice the height of her backpack, that means: Mountaineering. Over branches and roots, stones, moss and foliage. A little adventure. Anna can climb mountains and the backpack is not too heavy anymore. And so she packs in: Branches, roots, stones, moss and leaves. And even a real treasure: a string.
At the finish Barbara cooks tea, it is raved and then it goes back. At the construction trailer, everyone suddenly has to take a leak, jackets and caps fly through each other, and then they wash their hands, look for a place to sit down, and finally have a snack. For an eye-glance silence returns. The children have red cheeks, the construction trailer is warm, the snack tastes delicious. Afterwards, the playground is a great place to play muddy games, but also for "normal" activities such as swinging, bobbing, and climbing. When mom arrives, Anna "can’t" walk anymore and it’s off to the car on mom’s arm.
Tired, but happy, Anna and her big sister sink into their seats. Anna asks: "Is tomorrow forest again?". In the meantime, the sun is shining.