Treetops

Treetops

The children learn to walk, run, balance, climb, scramble and swing. They also learn about their environment and how to look after it through play, as well as how to respect each other’s personal space, (Joyce, 2004:4)

Through Treetops resilience is promoted by encouraging learners to understand the importance of sharing. Everyone is encouraged to keep on achieving and that there is no wrong way to achieve their goal, so keep going.

Treetops builds confidence in learners encouraging them to try something new, experiment to find different ways of doing things. Be confident to trust their instincts. To join another/others to share their experiences, be confident with the outcome and able to talk about their achievements.

Independence is nurtured through learners making their own judgments and being in control of the outcomes. Having the confidence to trust own decisions therefore exploring possibilities and having to make choices.

Treetops promotes creative learners by allowing freedom and time to create enabling learners to use their imagination and be inspired by the natural resources around them.

Sessions may include:

Recognising and spotting flora and fauna

Caring for the environment

Mapping the area

Using a selection of tools to make, for example, name badges, stick men, tent pegs and elder beads.

Making shelters from either natural items found on the forest floor or tarpaulins.

Making a fire

Cooking on a fire

Learning different knots

Investigating the bug hotel

Climbing trees

Balancing