Writes Samantha Robinson , Nursery Lead & EYFS Forest School Teacher
Recently at Forest School, the Nursery children enjoyed using palm drills for the very first time. After listening carefully to a tool talk and learning how to use them safely, they were excited to have a go themselves.
We spent time learning about elder trees, looking closely at the branches and flowers to help us identify them. The children were fascinated to discover the soft white pith hidden inside the centre of an elder branch.
Using the palm drills, the children carefully hollowed out the pith from sections of elder before peeling away the bark to reveal the smooth wood underneath. This required patience, concentration and determination, and it was wonderful to see how focused they were on the task. As the bark peeled away, there were lots of smiles and excited comments as the children discovered how the branch changed.
They were delighted to turn their elder pieces into beautiful natural beads, which they threaded onto string to make their own bracelets and necklaces.
It was lovely to see the children’s concentration, perseverance and sense of achievement as they learnt a new skill and created something special to take home. The children were proud of what they had made and enjoyed the process of turning a simple elder branch into their own handmade jewellery!
