Fairy trail is truly magical
Youngsters at a Renfrew nursery have been tackling feelings of isolation with the creation of their very own fairy trail.
Kids at the Albert Road childcare centre spent a week making fairy doors, signs with feel-good messages and painting stones to create the magical space at Robertson Park.
The toddlers, whose parents are key workers, wanted to make the trail for their friends who had been asked to stay home since Christmas.
They were inspired to start the project after exploring the topics of friendship, loneliness and isolation as part of Children’s Mental Health Week 2021.
In Safe Hands manager Gemma Williams told the Express the project aimed to allow children at home with their families to feel connected to their friends in nursery.
She said:“This project was to enable the children that cannot access our service at the moment an opportunity to join in with an activity that their nursery friends have planned.
“It is also good for the local community as many children are at home and many are being home schooled, so this could be a place where they could go to relax, have some fun and take their minds off the current situation.”
“She added:“We have had such positive
Children created a magical area for their peers
feedback.
“The kids go every day to make sure it’s set up nicely for their friends and other local children.
“People passing tell them how well it looks and they are very proud.”
The children laid out fairy doors, fairies and little accessories around a big tree in the neighbouring Robertson park which they visit most days.
Children in the after school care room also got involved by painting inspirational quotes on tiles to be added to the area.
Gemma said:“We have also reached out to other local nurseries to add to it and use it and hopefully the fairy garden will turn into a fairy trail which could be used all year round by locals and visitors to the area.”
Children’s Mental Health Week 2021 took place from February 1 to 7, under the theme of‘Express Yourself’.
It aimed to encourage children to share their thoughts and feelings in any way they can, with the Covid-19 impact already having a significant impact on children’s wellbeing.