4th class continued their journey through the forest this week, exploring the stories and traditions of the Fianna. In class the children have been learning about the oral tradition of storytelling and how stories were once passed from person to person, carrying lessons about the land, courage, and wisdom.

A central idea we explored this week was the importance of becoming part of the forest rather than simply moving through it. The children practised slowing down, listening carefully, and learning how to act with awareness rather than rushing ahead.

Inspired by Liz’s group last week, we revisited the challenge of moving quietly through the woods. The children tried to walk like a fox – light-footed, watching carefully for twigs, and paying close attention to the sounds around them. One group attempted to move past another group silently, discovering just how difficult it is to move unnoticed in the forest!

This led us into the idea of the trials of the Fianna. Before someone could join the legendary band of warriors led by Fionn Mac Cumhaill, they had to prove not only their strength but also their skill, patience, and awareness.

The children created and took part in a range of playful “trials”, including:

• Agility challenges on the low ropes
• Moving through a wool “cobweb” without touching it
• Quiet movement games like Bat and Moth
• A blindfolded listening challenge where children tried to quietly retrieve a stick while the “chief” listened carefully for movement

Each challenge focused on different skills — balance, listening, teamwork, patience, and careful movement.

Some children also spent time whittling, carefully shaping sticks into arrows to throw, practising safe tool use and concentration.

During our break we gathered for wild tea and a story. We spoke about some seasonal plants that can be found at this time of year with one group collecting gorse flowers and enjoying the coconut fragrance. We spoke about how it was important to take only little and leave for our pollinators.

We shared a story about Fionn Mac Cumhaill as a young boy, long before he became leader of the Fianna. The children heard how Fionn was not always the strongest or fastest, but he learned from wise teachers and from the forest itself. He learned to move without snapping a twig, to stand so still that birds forgot he was there, and to listen carefully before acting.

The story reminded us that true strength is not only about power — it is about awareness, calmness, and respect for the land.

An interesting moment emerged during the session when two groups began to notice each other’s bases in the forest. This sparked a discussion about sharing space, cooperation, and keeping peace, much like groups of people would have needed to do long ago when living close to the land.

Throughout the day it was clear that there are many different ways for the children to deepen their connection with nature – through movement, storytelling, craft, observation, and play.

Each week in the forest continues to reveal new discoveries, both about the woodland around us and about ourselves.