Story: Lisa Swift
Photos: Kath Hobson & Saleema Imam
Firs Hill School have installed a new outdoor learning area for Foundation children.
The area includes grass and plants, as well as a sand pit, pond and sensory garden. All the children are enjoying learning outside the classroom, experimenting, digging, mark making and exploring in the fresh air.
The Burngreave Messenger was given a guided tour by some of the Foundation children (all aged 5). Zahra, Salma, Umaha, Kauthar, Ammaarah, Hassan, Ibraheim, Jude, Yousuf, Liza, Usmaan, Reyhaan all helped to explain what it was all about.
“There are flowers growing up, tadpoles, grass and a fake grass mountain.”
Umaha excitedly pointed out, while Salma insisted we let her show us the sandpit –
“There are benches to sit on too. We make sand castles and do anything we want to,” added Hassan.
Kauthar, Umaha, Ibraheim and Yousuf enjoyed pointing at different things inside the pond.
“There are tadpoles, big ones and little ones”
“they are going to grow into frogs soon”
“the frogs will jump all around everywhere in the school”
The sensory garden was filled with herbs and scented flowers and their teacher showed them what each one was.
“These flowers attract the bees,”
Hassan told everyone.
“Mmm, mint. You can make it into toothpaste,”
explained Jude,
“and that one is sage, it stinks”
said Ibraheim.
As we finished the tour children explained what they liked most about the new area.
“I like the grass best because you can sit on it,”
said Kauthar
“I like the sand best, it’s nice, I like playing with it”
said Usmaan
“Come back and play if you want to. You can visit any time,”
Hassan said as he waved us goodbye.