Whether it is scrutinising snails, probing puddles or magnifying mushrooms, our mini-adventurers can be relied upon to get their hands – and sometimes their entire bodies – dirty, searching for the truth to nature’s big questions:
How does a slug move? Why do trees lose their leaves? How long before this water infiltrates my waterproofs? Do bears really poo in these woods?
When they’re not cataloguing our countryside, the Playgroup children sometimes choose to get their creative juices flowing by painting, creating clay sculptures and mark-making with charcoal. At other times they decide it’s all about pond dipping, concocting potions, making up stories, or having a relaxing swing in the hammock. When outside, children tend to ask permission less and rarely rely on adults to lead the play. This is what Kippen Playgroup strives for, child-centred and child-led learning.
Recently the little ones have also really been enjoying the myriad of different uses for rope. It’s been used for tug-of-war, abseiling, as a tightrope, as a pulley and obviously to capture those pesky monsters. Playing with the rope is not only good physical fun; it also encourages teamwork, creative thinking and problem solving.
When they’re not up at Monkey Camp, the children have been enjoying a wander down the back lane to visit the orchard. The Playgroup are incredibly thankful to be allowed to roam in this beautiful, hidden part of Kippen, and the children are especially grateful at this time of year for all the fruit! The brambles, apples and blueberries have been well and truly harvested by our voracious, little locusts! No fruit has been spared; no top lip unadorned of a purple moustache. Autumn is truly upon us.
If you think your little one would enjoy some outdoor adventuring, please get in touch with Morna via kippenplaygroup@gmail.com to arrange a taster session. We run on a Tuesday and Friday (9:30am – 12:00pm) and we take children from 2 years old, up to school age.
There are ‘toddlers runs’ every Thursday in the village hall, all year round, and is the place to come when CBeebies is making you want to scratch your own eyeballs out. We always have cake and biscuits, and as much tea as your probably now-compromised bladder can handle. There are also lots of baby and toddler toys and it’s a great place for socialising your little cherubs in a safe environment. Pop in any Thursday, 10:15am –12:00pm and we’ll see you there.
Suzanne Currie
The Wee Vine 