Forest Days

 

Experiences and Educational Significance of our Weekly Forest Visit

 

Every week, the children of the Irchelkrippe experience a very special adventure: Together with qualified staff, we set off into the nearby forest. This excursion has become an integral part of our pedagogical concept and offers children numerous opportunities for playful learning, nature experiences and social interaction.

Why Do We Go to the Forest?

The forest is a unique place full of opportunities for discovery and development. Children can play freely there, get to know nature in its diversity and experience what it is like to be part of a larger whole. The forest promotes creativity, movement and imagination – every clearing, every tree and every patch of moss is an invitation to explore and marvel.

Educational Goals

• Promoting the senses: In the forest, children can smell, hear, feel and see – the senses are addressed in a variety of ways.
• Promoting movement: The terrain is varied, with small hills, roots and branches inviting us to climb, balance and run. Motor skills are strengthened through play.
• Experiencing community: The excursions promote social interaction. Children learn to pay attention to each other, find solutions together and be considerate of one another.
• Developing environmental awareness: Direct contact with plants and animals strengthens respect for nature and promotes sustainable environmental awareness.
• Enabling free play: The forest offers space and materials for creative play – fantasy worlds are created with sticks, leaves and stones.

Organization of the Forest Day

Our forest days take place once a week. This starts at 09:00 and goes on until 16:00. The group is accompanied by qualified staff who not only ensure safety, but also provide impulses for sharing experiences. The equipment is adapted to the weather conditions: weatherproof clothing, sturdy shoes, backpacks with drinks and enough food are part of the basic equipment.

The Role of the Staff

Our staff are specially trained to make such forest days safe and enriching. They know the area and know how to respond to the needs and emotional states of the children. They pay attention to group dynamics, provide impulses for games and experiments and support the children in exploring their surroundings mindfully and curiously.

What Do We Do in the Forest?

Every forest day is different and is implemented with the children according to the current topics that have been developed in the team.

• Creative nature art: Leaves, cones and bark are used to create imaginative works of art that often only exist for a short time and are then returned to nature.
• Observing and learning: We discover snails, beetles or listen to the singing of birds. Children learn to treat living creatures with care and respect.
• Playing together: Tag, hide-and-seek and role-playing games are particularly exciting in the forest because the environment always offers new challenges.
• And much more…….

Weather-related Adjustments

Of course, there are also days when a visit to the forest is not possible. In the event of storms, extreme cold or too much snow, the group stays in the Krippe. The safety and well-being of the children are always the priority; the decision is made at short notice and adapted to the current conditions.

Alternative Program in the Krippe

If a forest day is cancelled, we still provide a variety of activities. In our house we offer creative craft activities, movement and other shared games. This allows children to experience a spirit of discovery and community indoors.

Educational Benefit

The experience of going to the forest regularly has an impact far beyond the individual day. Children become more self-confident, learn to deal with risks, recognize their own limits and take responsibility for themselves and others. They develop a close relationship with nature – this can help to reduce fears and promote positive environmental behaviour.