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Embracing Nature: A Journey of Discovery

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Embracing Nature: A Journey of Discovery

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Recently I have visited to the Navan Park. The weather was very gloomy yet beautiful and pleasant and it was about to rain there in the evening time. As I stepped towards the lake side I entered living stage- a world where nature was playing in harmony. The rain was leaving the ground still wet and the sky, a thick, grey canvas, appeared to be holding its breath, as though it were awaiting the next rain fall.

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Awakening the Senses: Fostering Connection Through Nature and Reflection

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Awakening the Senses: Fostering Connection Through Nature and Reflection

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I was enjoying the pleasant scent of moist dirt and damp grass. The cool breeze gently brushed against my face and body. I could hear the sound of nature and humans integrating together, creating a natural background for the scene in front of me.

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The lake's shimmering surface attracted my attention, its silver ripples softly moving under the grey sky. The quacking of ducks, the delicate flutter of bird wings, and the far-off rustle of leaves in the wind were all part of the multi-layered symphony of nature that I could hear. Like notes in an unexpected band, every sound seemed meaningful. I was feeling calm and alive, As though I was absorbing the full positivity of nature, letting it fill every part of me. It began as a silent, gentle drizzle of rain, and as each little droplet touched the leaves, it produced a delicate pitter-patter that seems to mix in with the distant calls of the feathered friends of “MOTHER- NATURE”.

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As soon as the rain started, Mother Nature's feathered friends gathered, feeling the beauty of the moment. They settled together, chirping and singing cheerful tunes, as if welcome the rain with open wings. Their voices blended in perfect harmony a celebration of the earth's love. The air was alive with their talk as they settled close to loved ones, creating a sense of unity and peacefulness while celebrating the rain in their beautiful language. The image was the perfect combination of nature's rhythm and the birds' celebration, wrapped the world with joy and connectedness. The white birds I have noticed began to fly in harmony in the group, singing as they were flying. And started settling slowly between the trees, gathering with their loved ones. I was wondering how, like humans, all living things want the companionship of friends and loved ones to share delight. Nature, in its own way, promotes connection and harmony.

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The experience reminded me of my childhood, when nature's sounds and motions provoked an acute feeling of wonder. It reminded me of how children connect to the environment through play. When I was a child, I saw nature as a source of pure amazement. Everything looked new and exciting. I engaged with it from all of my senses, from the rustle of leaves to the smell of flowers. As a child, I spent hours playing with Water, sticks, rocks. These simple moments made me feel like I was a part of nature, connected to it in ways that words couldn't describe.

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Based on my experience, I created a video that combines drama, movement, and music. I wrote a song inspired by nature's melodies and performed it in a peaceful, melodic sound. In my movie, I used movements of hand and body that reflected the motion of nature, and the song's voiceover brought the scene to life, reflecting the harmony and beauty I felt during my visit.

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 Future practice in early childhood education settings

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 Future practice in early childhood education settings

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Reflecting on my experiences with nature, I intend to incorporate more nature-based activities into my practise. To stimulate children's interest in nature, I will provide opportunity for exploration and hands-on experiences. One possibility is to offer barefoot nature walks, which allow children to interact with the earth via their sense of touch, encouraging more appreciation and interest about the natural world.

I'll encourage children to observe animals move, count leaves, listen to birds sing, and touch various textures like tree bark or rocks. They will also be able to smell flowers and engage in symbolic play with nature, such as telling stories or act out situations inspired by their surroundings. These activities will strengthen their connection to nature, stimulate their interest, and foster sensory development. Playing in nature allows the children to experience a deep emotional connection to nature, finding comfort in the calm surroundings. As Carson points out, nature offers a soothing space for young minds to thrive, offering not only physical play but emotional nourishment that supports their holistic development. (Wilson, R.A. 2018). According to research, shared musical experiences have an impact on the brain. Tania de Jong describes in her TEDx lecture, "How Singing Together Changes the Brain," how group singing produces endorphins, strengthens social relationships, and improves well-being. This is consistent with what I witnessed in nature—birds singing in harmony—and motivates me to incorporate more group singing into my teaching. Singing unites animals and humans, and it can help young children develop a sense of mutual respect, confidence, and joy in learning.(TEDx Talks, 2013).

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During my nature walk I came across a patch of white feathers gently resting on the damp ground, like whispers from the sky or gentle actions left by nature. It was as if the birds had left behind a little piece of their story, a silent poem woven with silence, movement, and beauty.

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Another photo I took shows birds gathered together in the shade of a tree while the rain poured gently. They hugged close, wings touching, and hummed sweet, beautiful sounds as if to celebrate the arrival of rain. It felt like a time of absolute harmony—nature coming together in harmony finding warmth, rhythm, and comfort in each other's company.

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My recent experiences exploring nature and music with children has a lot in common with the article's focus on play-based, child-centred learning. Feathers on the ground and birds gathered in trees served as a backdrop for musical narration and dance, evoking Littleton's (1998) "dramatic music play." Using nature, music, and imagination, I plan to co-create songs like "rainbird melody" and "feather dance," which are inspired by children's natural curiosity. According to my understanding, studying music is most effective when it is comprehensive and grounded in real-world situations. I'm not only applying information when I connect theory to practice; I'm actively creating a relevant, adaptable music curriculum.(Niland (2009)

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In keeping with the Reggio Emilia approach, I place a high importance on giving children sensory experiences in the outdoors, such as barefoot walks, to engage them through touch, sound, and sight. I've observed that children grow emotionally and cognitively when they are allowed to freely explore outdoors. To encourage deeper reflection and learning, I see an opportunity to improve this by including reflective times where children discuss and record their experiences, much like the atelierista does in Reggio Emilia schools.(Cooper, M. 2012)

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Cooper, M. (2012). Is Beauty a Way of Knowing? The Hundred Languages of Children : The Reggio Emilia Experience in Transformation, edited by Carolyn Edwards, et al., Bloomsbury Publishing USA, 2011. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.

https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/vu/reader.action?docID=820317&ppg=322

Niland, A. (2009). The Power of Musical Play: The Value of Play-Based, Child-Centered Curriculum in Early Childhood Music Education. https://web.p.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=1c096062-c9ad-47d0-8346-96157cc1a7c4%40redis&bdata=JkF1dGhUeXBlPXNoaWImc2l0ZT1laG9zdC1saXZl#AN=44491104&db=afh

TEDx Talks. (2013, December 19). How singing together changes the brain: Tania de Jong AM at TEDxMelbourne. You Tube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_HOBr8H9EM

Wilson, R. (2018, April 2). Nature and Young Children Encouraging Creative Play and Learning in Natural Environments. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/reader/read-online/5096b0f2-e978-444f-80b2-806bd7e3e4a4/book/epub?context=ubx