Lower Shaw Farm
As our son develops, so we try to introduce him to new experiences. Not all of them become regular activities, but Lower Shaw Farm is one which has stuck. Tucked off the main routes, the farm is an oasis in an otherwise noisy world. I certainly enjoy our time here as much as our son does.
The sessions at Lower Shaw Farm recognise that children are little people. Humans. You won’t find boxes labelled boy and girls, or mums and dads here. Everyone joins in together, embracing one and other as individuals, regardless of background. Whether cooking, painting, climbing, or feeding the animals, the opportunities are there for all.
Our son has embraced his love of all aspects of nature through visiting Shaw Farm. Striding out confidently in his boots, he joins the group activity to feed the pigs, visit the sheep, and watch the chickens. Low hanging apples offer ready to eat fruit in the late summer. Meanwhile, the mature horse chestnut offers opportunities to climb, and to search for multi-coloured five-fingered leaves and conkers in the autumn.
Inside activities include painting, crafting, listening to stories, and singing. As well as snacks (including vegan options), and a wide selection of toys. Particular favourites are a fluffy Canada goose, and a remote-controlled car. It’s always good to be somewhere that parents take an active role in working with their charges to help them to play and socialise. It’s a chance for children to develop self-confidence, as well as working with others to share. Whether it’s toys which are being passed around, or carrots for the pigs. Watching them come together to build dens and sculpt in the sandpit reminds me of my own childhood of outdoor adventure and exploration.
Organic learning is encouraged through play and exploring, with children using their own creativity freely to construct make believe worlds. As an adult, I feel privileged to share this with them, flexing my own creative muscles in the process. Indeed, I still have an invisible world-hopping orb in my coat pocket, lent to me by a child before Christmas. But, shhh, don’t tell anybody!
This sounds like such a wonderful place to visit. Of all the activities I went to with my three, music and forest school sessions were firm favourites 🙂
It’s certainly very special. Lovely to find places where the parents are as involved as the children are too. Other than for taking the occasional photograph of their charges, you very rarely see anyone with a mobile telephone in hand!