Today we went to The Museum of Kent Life

To take part in a World War Two themed day

We were part of a Home Educators group

Alongside classes from lots of different schools

The day was filled with activities

Each one led by a different person

In a different location

Teaching us about a different aspect

Of life in Britain

During the Second World War

The day before our visit

I spent a bit of time with Esther and William

Talking about the war

We watched some videos on You Tube

And we read some information on Twinkl

We will be using the Twinkl Blitz resources

To extend our learning after our trip

I love history

And the World Wars I am particularly passionate about

I think it is important for our children to know about

Our history

And as a military child

Our military history has always been close to my heart

I was really proud of Esther and William today

They joined in with all the sessions

Asked lots of questions

And as Daddy had very kindly kept Bea

We were able to talk together

And learn together

We really did have a wonderful day

The first session we attended

Was all about the Home Guard

We learned about who might have been in the guard

Why it existed

And what the Home Guard did

The session was well led and held Esther and William’s attention well

They especially loved learning to march

And seeing a genuine WW2 rifle

Esther was brave enough to hold it

Though the weapon was bigger than her!

Our second session was the Evacuation Experience

Esther and William had watched photos and videos about children being evacuated

The day before

And Esther remembered that the children were labelled

Like parcels

We talked about what the evacuees were allowed to take with them

In their suitcases

Esther and William found it very sad that children were not allowed to take cuddly toys

And they decided that their favourite books

Were The Worst Witch and Astrosaurs

Esther and William were incredibly emotionally involved with this session

And had to be reassured a number of times

That they were not going to be sent away

Though they were more keen to be evacuated

After writing a letter home

From their new wartime home

With Farmer Nick!

After being evacuated we went to learn about RAF Navigation

As this involved maps and compasses

Esther and William were much more in their comfort zone

And in fact I was incredibly proud

That they were able to identify and position

The points on a compass

Esther was really confident at pointing to South West, North East etc

William was really interested in seeing how the RAF used radar

To find and fight enemy planes

Esther enjoyed being an enemy plane!

This was a good session

It introduced Esther and William to angles and bearings

Something we can now explore much more

Capitalising on William’s obsession with maps!

After navigation training

It was off to join the ARP

Air Raid Precaution team

We met a very friendly warden

Who told us all about the work of the ARP

Esther and William loved shouting out

‘Put That Light Out’

As they learned about the black out

They also enjoyed being part of a water chain

Fighting a fire

Again I was so pleased and proud

That they were so willing to get up

And join in

Esther and William loved their day of learning today

And so did I

Before a break for lunch

We had a go at rag rug making

And we got to bring our little samples home

Learning about clothes rationing

And Make Do and Mend

Made us realise how very lucky we are today

Esther and William were really focused in this creative, practical session

Using a very sharp tool called a Bodger

To thread rags through Hessian to make a rug

What a fabulous experience we shared

A great activity for developing fine motor skills too!

Esther, William and I ate our lunch outside

A picnic at the play park

Before tractor driving fun

After lunch we went on a 1940s bus

Before heading to the chapel

To learn about food in World War Two

We learned about rationing

Dig For Victory

Shopping in the forties

And recipes too

William was horrified at the amount of cheese

People were given during rationing

How was anyone to survive with that?

Our final session was a look round a 1940s house

And a visit to some wartime shops

Where the children were all delighted

To be given a precious, rationed lollipop

We loved looking at the Anderson Shelter

And thinking about hiding there from the bombs

During The Blitz

We are all now looking forward

To more reading and learning and exploring

About the war

We especially want to think about the children of the war

It made me very tearful today

That 55000 evacuated children

Had no family or home to return to after the war

55000

So very sad

It also made me think about current refugee children around the world

And how I need to make sure Esther and William understand

That though life is much easier for us now

It is not the case for many many children in their lifetime

Today was a wonderful day

We went to The Museum of Kent Life

To take part in a World War Two themed day

We were part of a Home Educators group

Alongside classes from lots of different schools

The day was filled with activities

Each one led by a different person

In a different location

Teaching us about a different aspect

Of life in Britain

During the Second World War

It taught us this

And so much more

Today was a wonderful day

Four

We got up at 4am

To leave at half past four

To begin the four hour journey

For our fourth May visit

To Coombe Mill Farm

Four

We ordered four breakfasts

At The Little Chef

Pancakes

Syrup

Breakfasts to share

While beaming Bea

Stood on her chair

Singing Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Four

Four o’clock

Activity hour

Special, social time at the farm

Colourful memories

Giggles and smiles

Round and round the maypole

Dancing

Creating

Making

Painting

Bright rainbow colours

Purple and pink

Four

Four ribbon colours on the maypole

Pink and purple

Yellow

Green

We are here on the farm

By her river

Our river

We are here for our daughter

Who should

On Monday

Be turning four

Four

She should be with us

Running

Grinning

Dancing

This is her special place

Was always meant to be

From Christmas Day 2012

When we booked her first birthday holiday

She came with us that first year

Ashes in a boat

And from here she sailed

Four years ago

Four

From here she sailed

Across the sea

To the sky

So now we come in her honour

For her memory

For her birthday

We are here on the farm

By her river

Our river

We are here for our daughter

Who should

On Monday

Be turning four

Four