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1. Pelo, A. (2016). Introduction. The language of art: Inquiry-based studio practices in early childhood settings (pp. 1–13). Redleaf Press. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/vu/reader.action?docID=4674378&ppg=14

ISBN: 9781605544588

2. Pacini-Ketchabaw, V., Kind, S., & Kocher, L. L. M. (2016). Encounters with materials in early childhood education. Routledge. https://go.openathens.net/redirector/vu.edu.au?url=https%3A%2F%2Febookcentral.proquest.com%2Flib%2Fvu%2Fdetail.action%3FdocID%3D4649662

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I now see paper in a new way because of this lesson. I learned that every kind of paper acted differently after I played with it. I crumpled it, dipped it and watched it. The newspaper moved, the magazine surprised me because of its water-soluble strength, and the yer didn't move. These taught me how things can move, change and control how we react and play with them.

It also made Pacini-Ketchabaw et al. (2016)'s idea of material agency come alive. Also, I was inspired by Pelo (2016), who said art is a language which is the same thing being said between the person who makes it and the thing they make it in. I was happy with not being certain what would happen in this lesson, and not knowing what might happen next, instead of wanting it to be perfect. I have learned more about how the things around us can be our friends to think with, to say things with and to learn from. (p.1-13)

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I crumpled up a flyer, a magazine page, a newspaper, and some lined notepaper. It was almost like they all had their own attitude when they answered.

Was I even in control when the paper fought back?
It felt like the flyer was fighting back when I started to crumple it. I pushed harder, but the sharp corners dug into my hand, which hurt a little. The flyer felt like it was treating me the same way I was treating it: resisting and not giving up easily. I tried to squeeze it as tight as I could but it did not turn into a smooth round ball like the others. It stayed mostly square and blocky and did not try to change its shape. This made me think of how Pacini-Ketchabaw et al. (2016) talk about materials as having their own agency and ability to affect us. They say that materials are not just things we control, but also things that "respond, resist, and guide our actions." (p.33-34)

The newspaper made me feel very different. It felt strange and fun to crumple it. The newspaper's response appeared to be kinder and more gentle, like it were saying no without being overly harsh. It puffed back up when I gave it a firm squeeze, as though it were breathing or releasing my hold. It seemed to be enjoying itself because it was light, airy, and forgiving. This relates to Kind's description of paper as never static but constantly in motion—floating, fluttering, and responding with its own rhythm (Pacini-Ketchabaw et al., 2016, p.34-36).

This made me think of Pacini Ketchabaw et al. (2016) again and the idea that materials are not just there; they have agency, resistance, and personality. I began to think of paper not just as a surface, but as something that talks to me, interacts with me, and even shows me how to treat it.

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Dipping different kinds of paper into water.

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Dipping Paper into Water - Live Exploration

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Dipping Paper into Water - Live Exploration

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Why did the thinnest paper resist water the most?

To see how different types of paper would respond, I dipped them into a paper bowl that was filled with water. The magazine caught me off guard as it is thin, glossy and easily crumples. It seems to be the weakest compared to all the papers. However, it didn't soak when I dipped it in water.

Before it softened it took many dips. Surprisingly at that point it did not break apart or soak up water like flyers and notepaper did. It just started to wrinkle a little on the surfaces and the texture even got harder as it dried. Pacini-Ketchabaw et al. (2016) say that you can be surprised by materials, and you can learn to notice how they want to be treated by watching the "movements and actions" they make. (p.34)

This made me feel both surprised and interested. It made me think that materials don't always act the way we think they will be. This process is related to the idea of material agency from Encounters with materials (Pacini-Ketchabaw et al., 2016). The water seemed to have a hard time getting through the magazine paper, which kept its shape longer than I thought it would.

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Paper materials I prepared for my material inquiry.

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At first, I was planning to buy a variety of paper products from Officeworks. However, after reading the chapter on Encounters with Materials (Pacini-Ketchabaw et al., 2015), I noticed that they use paper that had previously already been used or thrown away such as newspapers that were gathered from recycling bins.

This made me start to search things around me. Then I realised that my letterbox is always stuffed with various types of paper, including real estate flyers, scam letters, advertisements. In my kitchen, I also found egg carton, paper bowl and thin cardboard box.

This minor change gave me a new viewpoint on materials, allowing me to see them as objects with their own histories, stories, and potential rather than just a tool for creation.

These are the materials I used during the live assessment:

1. Lined notepaper

2. Real estate flyers & advertisements

3. Egg carton

4. Thin cardboard (from ziplock)

5. Paper bowl

6. Magazine

7. Letter

All of these papers have a unique personality, texture, and thickness. I was really curious about how they would move, react to water, resist folding, or provoke emotion when playing with them. The attached picture shows the beginning of my exploration.