Cosy Campfires!

At Rachel Keeling, we value the learning involved in building and enjoying campfires with young children.
The weather has begun to turn and winter is on its way.
Campfires are a wonderful way to encourage specific vocabulary such as flint, kindling and  charcoal. Children are also encouraged to respond using their senses: the smoke, the smell, the sounds! Children are supported to sustain concentration as the process is not a quick one: children develop an awareness of safety - we are very clear about the awe and wonder of the campfire but also support children to understand the danger of fire.
We build a fire square and the children know you do not enter it without an adult.
Children help to build the fire using cotton wool, newspaper and kindling.
The fire is lit using a flint - we do not use matches as we know children may have these at home and we do not want any fire-making at home!
The children enjoyed singing with Lize accompanying on the guitar.
Sometimes we build fires for the enjoyment and to keep warm.
Other times we cook over the fire or make hot chocolate.
Even when the rain came, we problem solved: Shamso stayed under the umbrella to keep the fire going and make sure the children could drink it as they sheltered under the verandah.

​If you have any questions about making campfires, please speak to staff.