It was one of those freezing mornings that makes you want to stay curled up in bed — and getting ready for Bush Kinder was no easy feat. We were running late, and it felt like it took forever to wriggle into our blue protective overalls, gumboots, and coats. But finally, wrapped up and ready, we made it.

When we arrived at the Urban Forest, we were greeted by Audrey’s mum and Sarina — and despite the chill, it was another glorious Autumn day. The golden leaves crunched under our boots as we trekked down into the middle section of the forest, excitement buzzing among the children.

Along the way, we encountered a cordoned-off area with a clear notice: Do not enter. Instantly, the children were drawn to it — the classic allure of forbidden fruit. Their curiosity sparked a rich conversation about rules — why we have them and what might happen if we choose to ignore them. It felt like a natural link back to our recent learning about Moses and the Ten Commandments. The children offered thoughtful hypotheses about what might happen if rules were broken, showing a growing understanding of cause and effect, safety, and responsibility.

To build on this discussion, in the coming days we’ll read No Rules for Michael by Sylvia Rouss — a story that explores just what happens in a world without boundaries.

As we moved deeper into the forest, the imaginative play took off. The children of Gan Rimon used ropes and sticks to create swings, stage daring rescues, and dive into adventurous imaginary games. The forest became a world of their own making — full of cooperation, creativity, and problem-solving.

All too soon, it was time to head back. Tired but happy, we left the forest behind — until next time.

Bush Kinder continues to gift us with moments of wonder, learning, and joyful connection with nature.

Amanda Derham
Kindergarten Teacher