# data[].attributes.body
My view of play was primarily narrow with something that was joyful, spontaneous and associated with childhood. However, my understanding of play has been significantly shifted and expanded through the theories and readings from this unit so far. These contents have not only developed my theoretical perspective on play, but also made me reconsider how I observe, engage with and make meaning of play in the everyday life. I now see play not merely as an activity, but as an educational approach.

One of the theoretical frameworks which influence my understanding of play is The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). In the EYLF, play is defined as “a range of characteristics including freely chosen, self-directed, pleasurable, meaningful, symbolic and intrinsically motivating” (Department of Education, 2022). It emphasizes play as a foundational context for learning where the agency, creativity and relationships are promoted. From that point on, my understanding has been reframed as I previously thought play and learning as separate. This aligns with my emerging view that play is form of active participation in life, where I can develop ideas, thinking, and sense of self, construct knowledge, and build relationships.

In addition, Peter Gray has further developed my understanding of play through his article. He defined play as intrinsically motivated, self-chosen, and free from external rules or judgment (Gray, 2008). This perspective has inspired but also unsettled me as Peter Gray highlighted autonomy which naturally inhabits when playing. This perspective has also reflected me that I can create a play and a space where development, exploration, curiosity should be build free from evaluation.

These ideas have shaped how I observe and learn from play, including the concept of agency, meaningful expression of learning, identity formation, and autonomy. I have also found new awareness in everyday moments such as imagination,  emotions, exploration and relationships. In my journal entries, I would use the lens to explore play as dynamic and meaningful process.

# data[].attributes.body
I have used this notebook, pencil and colorful pens to take note of my studying. By choosing assorted colors for the title, heading and notes can help me easily define and focus on the main information, and make me feel more interested when look at the notebook. This also expresses my curiosity, emotions and personal experimentation in my learning. From this photo, I can see what mathematics embed in through number of color pens, number of pages and the cost of each pen. Moreover, notebook and pens has supported my idea that play can be thoughtful and engage with everyday studying tools. According to Holdom (2018), the article shows that Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is embedded in everyday experiences. The actions such as selecting colors and planning notes can be seen as foundational mathematical practices in everyday life.

# data[].attributes.body
I made a dessert for my housemates last weekend with dairy ingredients. I used the scale to weigh gelatine powder and sugar while measuring cup to volume milk and cream. I also used hot water to melt gelatine in certain of time and temperature. Then, I mixed all ingredients together and kept it in the fridge for four hours. I can tell that cooking creates joy and experimentation when I make food with new recipes or my own style. Cooking also requires both precision and creativity (rules and freedom) as I need the right amount of ingredients, but I can change substitute ingredients. The STEM approach is considered not separate from the life, it lives in that (Holdom, 2018). And cooking exemplifies this where measuring skills and procedural knowledge are drawn.

# data[].attributes.body
I had a beautiful morning with my friend at our neighbor’s outdoor café. There is a small garden with various vegetables where I could engage with nature and enjoy a quiet moment for myself. I ordered a small cup of hot green tea latte and talked about the weather changing as winter will come soon. Mathematics can be seen like the size of the cup and amount of milk inside the cup. From that view, I could find calm and balance in my mind after a long working day. The activity of observing nature can develop inquiry skills.

# data[].attributes.body
I bought this Rubik cube because of my curiosity when I saw my friend playing and solved a Rubik cube easily. When playing Rubik cube, I have developed a curiosity about how it moves, and systematic approach. Science from playing Rubik cube can be logic, mathematics and physical science. Moreover, Rubik cube indicates concepts of prediction, hypothesis testing, and trial and error. This experience supports my understanding of play as powerful tool for development and learning. For me, playing Rubik cube can reinforce my study of physical science, logical thinking and problem-solving strategies. Physical science defined as “study of materials and energy in the non-living world. The way objects move depends on a variety of factors such as shape, size, and material.” (Atiken, Hunt, Roy and Sajfar, 2012). So, the shape and material of Rubik cube show the understanding of the properties of objects. Rubik cube also offers fun and engaging to explore prediction and problem-solving skills.

# data[].attributes.body
This guinea pig is from my friend and I had to take care for few weeks because my friend went far away at this time. During that time, I observed that how to interact and play with this little guy, when I need to feed her and what kind of food to feed her, and what her favorite food is. The science here is rooted in biological and environmental science, including the guinea pig’s needs of food and water, her habitat and living condition, and her needs of taking care. For me, play is not fundamental activity with tools, also a time spending with pets which I can engage, explore, interact and connect with nature, the moment influences my identity as I can value connection with nature and understand the beauty in biological processes. The concept of biological science is to notice characteristics of living things such as their needs, behaviors, habitats and life cycles (Atiken, Hunt, Roy and Sajfar, 2012). Hence, observing guinea pig help me develop empathy, and care about other living things.

# data[].attributes.body
It was a rainy day at my place. Play in this photo is about natural process of the tree and changing weather. I see clearly that the sky was more darker due to cloud and rain; and the changing color of leaves which indicates the spontaneity of seasonal transitions in the image. This photo is rich with biological and earth science. In which, the life cycle of tree following the season is showed in color of leaves, including green leaves turning to yellow leaves and falling down; and changing in weather like rain coming from cloud and wind making leaves move. This experience pushes me to consider play in a broader, as a dynamic and adaptive process within nature. Additionally, I lean about the resilience and adaptability of nature, and encourage the complex interplay of biological and earth factors which shape the world.  The image connects to the concept of earth science which is to explore the earth spheres, including change day and night, weather and seasons, and non-living earth materials (Atiken, Hunt, Roy and Sajfar, 2012).

# data[].attributes.body
Laptop and iPad are devices that I use for my studying and entertainment as well. Mostly, I use laptop as a tool for information searching and accessing, and doing my assignments, while iPad is used to support my learning at school and my habits in free time. Laptop and iPad connect to definition of technology as it refers to systems, devices which are created to meet needs, solve problem and improve human life (ECE6010, 2025). Laptop and iPad are examples of digital technology which are designed to support information access, learning, communication, creativity, and potentially interactive play. The photo shows the idea that laptop and iPad are designed tools with purpose of linking play to development and learning in everyday life. The Boulder Journey School also agree with the idea which technology and interactive media are tools which support learning goals when they are used intentionally by teachers within framework at school.

# data[].attributes.body
I primarily use a calculator for daily and financial calculations such as bills, receipts and my accounting jobs. When collaborating with calculator’s functions, I can see there is an element of experimentation with different financial scenarios play out on a calculator. The calculator is piece of technology which specifically designed to solve mathematical problems, make complex calculations faster, easier and more accurate. In a sense, it connects to the general definition of technology which is mentioned in the image of laptop and iPad. The calculator can have playful elements as the satisfaction of solving complex problem can be form of play for an analytical mind.

# data[].attributes.body
It is an activity that I do in free time. There is creative play offered from paint by number activity as an element of personal execution and satisfaction in seeing the final image through the structured application of color. Paint by number is consider as analogue technology because it definition refers to non-digital, physical tools and methods to perform tasks or create product (ECE6010, 2025). This activity reflects that technology is not limited to machines or computers, but includes designed process or tool which can support creativity and skill development of human. Pain to number suggests to individuals who enjoy creative pursuits and find relaxation in activities.

# data[].attributes.body
Living in stolen land means that I am on Indigenous lands, look at Indigenous skies and swim in Indigenous water (Kwaymullina, 2020) without consent or treaty from its traditional owners. It means that a history of dispossession, violence and cultural erasure continue to impact the First Nation people. I believe that the First Nation people are doing to let people know more the colonization and how it steal their land, and foreground the Aboriginal perspectives.

Through the units in week 1, I learned the tradition owners who are custodians of the land from thousands years ago and came to better understand the deep and continuous connection that the First Nation people have with the land, called ‘’country’’ (Hamm & Boucher, 2017). Where I live now is the traditional land of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and the Bunurong people of Kulin Nation. I recognize that country is not just physical space, it is rational, conscious and alive (Hamm & Boucher, 2017). This perspective challenges me to rethink my own relationship with land which I must respect and learn from.

With this knowledge comes responsibility, truth-telling means acknowledging the full story of colonial narrative, and supporting the Aboriginal movements, and educating others to know the First Nation people. I know that reconciliation requires the action, and I can begin with small but meaningful steps, including paying respect to Elders part and present, attending local events led by the Firsts Nation people, embedding acknowledgment of country into daily practice.

I cannot change the past, but I can choose to be accountable in the present. Living in the stolen land demands more than awareness, also action grounded in respect and commitment.

# data[].attributes.body
Aitken, J., Hunt, J., Roy, E. & Sajfar, B. (2012). A sense of wonder: Science in early childhood education. Teaching Solution. https://www.naturallearning.net.au/uploads/6/9/3/6/69366275/sp_asow.pdf

Department of Education. (2022). Belonging, being & becoming: The early years learning framework for Australia V2.0. https://www.acecqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-01/EYLF-2022-V2.0.pdf

ECE6010. (2025). Definition of Technology. ECE6010 Place, Play and the Language of Science. Victoria University. https://vucollaborate.vu.edu.au/content/enforced/1783232-SAND-e9401985-1/Definition%20of%20Technology%20(ECE6010).pptx?isCourseFile=true&ou=2189826

Gray, P. (2008, November 19). The value of play I: The Definition of Play Gives Insight. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/freedom-learn/200811/the-value-play-i-the-definition-play-gives-insights

Hamm, C., & Boucher, K. (2017). Engaging with place: foregrounding Aboriginal perspectives in early childhood education. N. Yelland & D. Frantz Bently (Eds), Found in translation: Connecting reconceptualist thinking with early childhood education practices (1st ed., pp. 58-75). Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781315165042-5/engaging-place-catherine-hamm-kelly-boucher?context=ubx&refId=8cb44e7a-9e98-418c-96b7-fa38ec83f8d3

Holdom, J. (2018). Science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning through the lens of Te whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa: Early childhood curriculum.  He Kupu (The World), 5(3), 1-11. https://www.hekupu.ac.nz/article/science-technology-engineering-and-mathematics-learning-through-lens-te-whariki-he-whariki

Kwaymuliia, A. (2020). Stolen land. Living on stolen land (pp. 3-6). Magabala Books.

# data[].attributes.body
https://padlet.com/s8194188/my-journal-magrpyl58hi0ih32