Tag Archive for birmingham

Wattle & daub @Washwood Nursery

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willow round house constructed by andy cox peel and children at washwood nursery school in birminghammud smeared onto willow round house at washwood heath nursery school birminghamjon the potter helped the children at washwood nursery school to cover their willow round house with a sloppy mixture of clay soil and strawForest school Andy (with some help from the children) had created a wonderful round house out of hazel and woven willow in the new sensory garden. Although the roof was yet to be added, the willow walls looked very attractive – it somehow seemed a shame he was determined to cover it all in mud!

The children, myself and Andy spent an enjoyable and messy day rendering the structure with a sloppy mixture of soil, clay and straw. The children adored the activity, handling, stomping and smearing the natural materials.

The joy & learning was reflected in the use of animated language:

“soft & cold” child rubbing the loose soil through fingers

“Is this beautiful?” child discovers a pebble in the soil.

“this is fun – gooey!” child breaking the soft clay into smaller lumps for mixing in the soil.

“big & beautiful” child grabs a large lump of wet cob and holds it up.

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Washwood Watching

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pottery made by parents at washwood heath nursery school birminghamSome of the parents last week didn’t get the opportunity to try the potter’s wheel. Unbeknown to me they had been observing, very carefully their friends and fellow parents making their pots.

No sooner had we opened for business on Tuesday, a que of eager potter’s waited in turn to practice what they had quietly absorbed from the previous week.

The results were amazing – everybody just knew what to do with very little prompting. 

Some of the parents who’s children were taking a bit longer to settle at nursery, discovered a little peace and solace just from watching the other adults making their pots. Even though they didn’t engage directly with the material, they were still able to lessen their anxiety.

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Wonderful Washwood

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a finely decorated clay plate made by a new parent at washwood heath nursery school in birminghamIn an attempt to settle the new intake and their families into their first few days of organised education, Washwood Heath Nursery School in Birmingham provide a host of creative activities for parents to take part in whilst their offspring spend their first few hours in the classroom.

This system works remarkably well, not only in relieving parents anxiety by occupying their minds with things other than their child, but annualy revealing creative skills and artistic talents.

Participation is always very good, although we were greatly encouraged by the number of dads who got involved with the clay this year. Dads, mums & grandparents made press molded plates and pots on the potter’s wheel.

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Last day @mac

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clay crab attached to mud boat @_moonbeams @macOh muddyducks!! It was my final http://moonbeams3.com/ stint at the Midlands Arts Centre last week and the land art mud sculptures hadn’t fared too well since I’d last seen them.

The persistent heavy down pours had washed away a lot of the mud/straw feathers  and numerous little feet had enjoyed climbing up and down their backs. The works looked a little sorry for themselves. Not that the first group of nursery school children who came especially to work with me thought so – they were completely captivated by the x3 lumps of mud and immediately saddled up, two abreast, and enjoyed a morning of horse racing! “Giddy up horsie!”

Once everybody had had a ride on the horseducks, we settled into making clay sea creatures to adorn the mud boat.

Posted in children, community workshops, early years tagged with , , ,
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