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On country visit - written voice recording

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On country visit - written voice recording

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As I walk on a summer day towards the waters, the gentle movement of the leaves and the sound of the chirping birds, crickets, and frogs fill my senses. As I pause to take in the beauty around me, I reflect on my learnings of aboriginal perspective offers a unique and profound understanding of this natural world. Listening to connect, being present in this moment and on this place I am reflecting on my experience of Dadirri. I have felt this before, however have not understood the profound nature of deep listening till reading this beautiful piece.

According to Aboriginal culture, every living being is interconnected and part of a larger web of life. The movement of the leaves, the chirping of the birds, and the flowing of the waterways all carry deeper meanings and significance. The birds, in particular, hold a special place in aboriginal culture as messengers and spiritual guides.

As I continue on my walk, I begin to notice the different types of birds and their movements. Sometimes we see an eagle, Bunjil, soaring high above, he represents strength and freedom, while hopping on the ground, the humble sparrows symbolizes humility and perseverance. The wood ducks fleeing the damn embody beauty and grace.

I come to realize that every movement and sound in this natural world holds a story and a lesson. We are reminded of the importance of living in harmony with nature and respecting the interconnectedness of all living beings. The random sounds of the birds signing, the insects buzzing, trees swishing and moving in the breeze

In this moment, I feel a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for the wisdom of Mirriam-Rose’s writings, it brings a newfound respect and reverence for the natural world and all its inhabitants.

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with voice recording.

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(i had intended to do this where i completed my on country visit however was unable to, please imagine I am outside near the water, amongst the trees, ducks and birds)

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During my walk I am focusing on my senses,
what can I smell, hear and see?

Beneath the canopy of green,

I take a walk, slow and serene.
Amidst the trees, tall and grand,

My feet sink into the cool sand.

The movement of the leaves in the breeze,
A soothing sound, a gentle tease,
I feel the rhythm of nature's dance,
As I move forward with every chance.

Summer birds, crickets and frogs, so joyous and bright,
Sing their songs, a pure delight,
Their melodies fill the air, A symphony beyond compare.

From an Aboriginal perspective, I see the world with a different lens,
Nature is sacred, a source of life, A balance to maintain, oh what a vibe

I pause to take it all in, This moment, a lovely win.

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As I walked towards the dam the seed pods from the grasses brushing against my legs, dry cracked earth crunching under my feet, I was cognisant of the increasing sounds, movement of the foliage, animals, and my own movements.

The dam is only about 50 meters from our house, it adds a beautiful aesthetic, but also a wonderful habitat for nature. Wood ducks breed and raise their babies, Australasian Grebes nest, using sticks and vegetation to create a floating nest, and dragonflies skate around looking for food. We hear pobblebonk frogs who burrow down into the ground. In the summer evenings, the banjo sounds are almost deafening 'Pobblebonk, pobblebonk, pobblebonk' they strum. Are the animals talking to each other? Do they have a secret language?

The northerly breeze helps the willow trees to move with grace and flow, in the late afternoon sun their leaves are a bright green making a rustling noise as they move against each other.
This place makes me slow down and consider the impact of this waterway on nature. When I read and watched Dadirri, I felt that I was very fortunate to have a place to visit, reflect, deep listening, and quiet, still awareness. (Ungunmerr, 1988). Much of my childhood was spent in the busyness of Sydney, watching ferries pass by on the sparkling water, and people rushing by as if unaffected by the beautiful vista of the magnificent skyline. Mirriam Rose invites all Australian people to slow down and wait, to be still and listen to the Aboriginal people, listen and take time to get to know them, the Aboriginal people. (Ungunmerr, 1988). Do we encourage children to slow down, listen and get to know others? How would this look in an EC setting?

Reflecting on our place in the lives of our children, they used to swim, fish for yabbies, create mud people games, and sail little boats pretending to be in the Swallows in Amazon's stories. As discussed by Wilson in ‘Children, creative play and the natural environment', Children are ‘curious and eager to follow the path of curiosity. They are observant and imaginative. (Wilson )
The drama, layers of sound, and movement of place in Early childhood settings can sometimes be so rushed, lacking creativity and generous, genuine connection. I am reminded of the need for children to be free to experience freedom of movement, mind, and body as discussed in The Hundred Languages of Children, the idea of children being autonomous in the choices they make, rather than providing direction and rules, children should be able to interact with the environment how they choose (Edwards, 2013) whilst having the ability to be still, wonder and participate in deep listening.

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Edwards, C., Gandini, L., Forman, G., & Reggio, C. S. (Eds.). (2011). The hundred languages of children: The Reggio Emilia experience in transformation, 3rd edition: the Reggio Emilia experience in transformation. ABC-CLIO, LLC.

Ungunmerr, M.-R. (1988). www.miriamrosefoundation.org.au. Retrieved from Miriam Rose Foundation: https://www.miriamrosefoundation.org.au/

Wilson, R. & R. (2007). Nature and young children: Creative play and learning in natural environments. Routledge.

Bangarra Education Resources Mutton Bird 2015, online video, Bangarradance Theatre, viewed 3 March 2023, <https://youtu.be/o-PV98Oshkc>.