Super Roots Parent & Child Nature Connection Sessions: Magic Mondays

Due to popular demand, we are continuing our Magic Mondays PILOT project, in collaboration with Robin Hood Community Garden, in response to the need to build strong local communities and increase outdoor adventurous play for 1-5 yr olds and their families. Babes in arms are welcome on the day.

All sessions will include nature based crafts and activities for children and parents to get involved in.

Max two children per booking, so that you are able to play with and supervise your children. If you want to bring more than two children, bring another adult or get in touch.

This is a pilot project developing with the community, and we welcome all feedback and suggestions. hello@super-roots.org

What to Expect:

Freeflow arrival : Explore the garden, chat with friendly faces, grab a tea while everyone arrives. The children can engage with different activities at their own pace, like hammocks in the orchard, a story den (including nature ID books & tools), craft table (different each week), nature kitchen, garden to explore and plant.

Weekly Rhythm: 10-10:30 arrive, 10:30 opening circle/ song + healthy snack time, 10:45 free play + nature crafts, garden exploration, 11:50 closing circle, 12pm End. Examples of activities : crafting with natural materials, exploring insects, wildlife and their habitats, discovering trees/ plants, art using nature, storytelling inspired by the outdoors, fire making, cooking..

Opening and closing circle : We encourage parents to sit with their child to join in together. However, we know that some children may not want to sit still for the whole time in which case it is fine for them to get up, we will invite them to dance around if they like.

Ethos : Based upon the Forest School Principles, we encourage children to be curious, to explore and discover nature as well as finding new ways to express and challenge themselves. The natural environment is full of opportunities for active and energetic learning alongside gentle, magical moments. Parent + Child: These sessions are a great opportunity to have fun with your child in nature as well as building a community with other families.

Shelter + "bad" weather : Forest School happens in all weathers, and this is part of the fun! We have tarps to create shelter if the weather needs it. *If there is extra-ordinary, dangerous weather (strong winds, extreme rain, thunder or lightning) staff will assess the risks and contact the group to cancel if we feel it is unsafe to continue.*

Clothing: Layers are key! It is much better to have too many than not enough clothes, long sleeves and trousers can help children avoid getting scratched by brambles. It can be helpful to pack spare clothes for you child in case they get wet, for example when watering plants or in the nature kitchen!

Robin Hood is a Community Garden that overlooks the River Lea at the bottom of Springfield Park. It was set up and is run by the local community for the local community. They have a fantastic volunteer gardening session every Sunday afternoon from 1pm. We ask all families to respect the space and work with their child to ensure the growing beds and plants are looked after with kindness. We have a "no lick no pick" policy which means we ask children to not pick the any of the plants or put them in their mouths!

Please see here for more info: https://semble.org/project/robin-hood-community-garden/