In the forest this week we’ve been learning all about different occupations, looking at the jobs people do in the world around us and even thinking about our own futures.
One day we explored doctors and hospitals. We talked about how doctors help us and reasons we might visit the doctor or a hospital. The children told us that doctors don’t only help you when you’re sick, they also help to keep you healthy!
First we had a cosy waiting area with books and stories to share together.
Next, a reception area with clipboards and signs awaited. Here the children discussed why they might visit the doctor and practised their mark-making skills, writing notes for each other.
In the hospital, the children dressed up as doctors, using stethoscopes, thermometers and medicine to take care of each other and our forest school teddies!
The next stop was their own pharmacy, where the children used natural ingredients and water to make their own medicines, mixing, stirring, pouring and working together to make the right medicines for the right ailments! At the pharmacy counter they used a till to pay for the medicines, carefully counting out their payment. Counting in contexts like this helps deepen their understanding of maths in the real world.
To transport patients to our hospital, we had our own ambulance! Our Little Forest Folk-ers worked together, taking turns to be patients, doctors and even ambulance drivers!
We all learnt so much about doctors, using role-play to help understand the important job they do. We feel very inspired, with some of us deciding we want to work in a hospital when we’re older! Thank you to all the hospital staff who take care of us and keep us healthy!
We have also explored being mechanics where we wired underneath a jacked up car, as well as builders with lots of spare parts for building, problem solving and team work - hard hats at the ready, everyone sure looked the part!
Little Forest Folk
Winkworth