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Sound/Music Activity Summary: “Calm in the Canopy” Making a soundscape of birds/nature sounds/meditative deep listening activity:

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Sound/Music Activity Summary: “Calm in the Canopy” Making a soundscape of birds/nature sounds/meditative deep listening activity:

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Objective: To help children develop their listening skills and achieve a state of calm through focused attention on various nature sounds.

Materials Needed:

Pre-recorded Nature Sounds: A mix of bird calls, rustling leaves, flowing water, and other soothing natural sounds.

Comfortable Seating: Mats or cushions placed in a quiet, comfortable area.

Timer: To ensure the activity is kept within the 10-minute duration.

Activity Steps:

Preparation (1 minute):

Have the children find a comfortable spot on the mats or cushions and sit in a relaxed but attentive posture.

Explain briefly that they will be listening to sounds from nature and focusing on what they hear to help them relax and feel peaceful.

Introduction to Listening (2 minutes):

Guide the children to close their eyes (if they are comfortable doing so) to minimize distractions.

Teach them to take a few deep breaths, in through the nose and out through the mouth to settle into the space.

Playing the Soundscape (1 minute):

Start playing the pre-recorded nature sounds at a comfortable volume.

Encourage the children to focus solely on the sounds they are hearing, pointing out that they may recognize some sounds while others might be new.

Focused Listening (4 minutes):

Ask the children to imagine themselves in the place where the sounds are coming from. It could be a forest, a mountain, or a riverside.

Instruct them to pick out individual sounds from the soundscape: the call of a specific bird, the rustle of leaves, or the trickle of water.

Encourage them to think about what the environment might look like and what time of day it might be, based on the sounds they are hearing.

Reflection and Sharing (2 minutes):

Gradually lower the volume of the sounds and guide the children to bring their focus back to the room.

Invite them to share their experiences: What sounds did they hear? Did they find any sound particularly relaxing or interesting?

Discuss how focusing on these sounds made them feel during and after the activity.

Conclusion (1 minute):

Conclude the activity by thanking the children for their participation and attentiveness.

Briefly talk about how listening to nature can help us feel calm and connected to the world around us.

This simple and short activity can serve as a gentle introduction to mindfulness and meditative practices for children. It utilizes their natural curiosity about nature and helps them learn how to bring focus and calm into their daily lives.

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Rationale/Justification: In my On Country walk in Assessment 2, I was inspired to make a soundscape based on the sounds of birds. I was drawn to the various sounds they made, sometimes loud and dramatic, sometimes soft and calming. I thought it would be wonderful to branch this idea out into an activity to implement with children, to help them practice mindfulness and calm them down, perhaps ideally to transition them into rest time. The beauty of the bird sounds influenced the activity. I believe this activity strongly links to some of the EYLF learning outcomes such as outcomes 2,3 and 4 (EYLF, 2009). During this activity, children will be connecting with and contributing to their world through learning the act of deep listening. This is an important skill to acquire, as it teaches children to slow down, notice, and connect with nature and with country. The act of deep listening is explained beautifully by Miriam Rose in her Dadirri video (MiriamRoseFoundation, 2017), where she reminds us that we are all connected, and how deep listening to nature helps us remember that. Additionally, Dr Ibrahim Baltagi (UNICEF, 2019) emphasises the importance of calming music for children, explaining that it can regulate a baby's breathing and even help them to slow their heartbeat down. This is another reason why implementing music into children’s lives is so beneficial.

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The "Calm in the Canopy" activity was a success in terms of introducing the child to mindful listening and helping him connect sounds with feelings and memories. Although maintaining focus for the full duration was a challenge, the bursts of focus were effective and enjoyable for the child. This activity not only provided a foundation for future mindfulness practices but also opened a new avenue for the child to explore the natural world through sounds.

As the nature sounds began to play, I noticed the child's expression change from one of anticipation to wonder. The child was particularly intrigued by the sound of a bird, which was later identified as a robin. The rustling leaves and flowing water sounds also seemed to capture his attention, and he mentioned that it sounded like "rain on the roof."

This reflection underscores the importance of patience and flexibility when introducing mindfulness concepts to young children. The activity was a delightful exploration of sensory experiences, proving that even at a young age, children can engage in and benefit from meditative practices.

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Movement/Dance Activity Summary: Calming Bird Yoga Experience:

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Movement/Dance Activity Summary: Calming Bird Yoga Experience:

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Objective: Introduce children to simple yoga poses inspired by birds to promote physical activity, mindfulness, and fun.

Materials Needed:

Yoga mats or a soft, non-slip surface

Calming background music (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide:

Introduction (1 minute)

Welcome the children and briefly explain that they will be doing yoga poses inspired by birds. Mention that this will help them stretch their bodies, feel like different birds, and have fun.

Warm-Up (2 minutes)

Begin with easy breathing exercises. Ask the children to inhale deeply while lifting their arms to the sky, and exhale while lowering their arms, imagining they are wings flapping slowly.

Do shoulder rolls (forward and backward) to loosen up.

Bird Yoga Poses (6 minutes)

Eagle Pose (Garudasana): Cross one leg over the other and try to tuck the foot behind the calf; cross the arms at the elbows and twist the wrists to bring the palms together, holding for three breaths and then switching sides.

Flamingo Pose (Modified Tree Pose): Stand on one leg, bend the other knee, and place the foot on the standing leg's inner thigh or calf (not on the knee). Hold arms out to the sides like wings, balancing for three breaths and then switch legs.

Crow Pose (Bakasana): For a simplified version appropriate for children, encourage them to squat down, place their hands on the floor, and try lifting their feet off the floor even if just a little, balancing for a few seconds.

Cool Down and Reflection (1 minute)

Have the children lie down on their mats in Savasana (Corpse Pose) and close their eyes. Guide them to imagine they are birds lying in a nest, feeling the warm sun and a gentle breeze.

Ask them to take slow, deep breaths, relaxing each part of their body.

Conclusion:

Gently bring the children back to a sitting position. Have a quick round of sharing where each child can talk about their favourite pose and how they felt during the session.

This activity is designed to be dynamic and fun, keeping the attention of young children while introducing them to basic yoga concepts and physical exercise through imaginative play. It’s important to encourage the children and keep the atmosphere light and playful.

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Birds Yoga Poses | YOGA for Kids I Birds Yoga for Kids | Yoga for Kids for Corona | Kids Yoga | Yoga

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During my On Country walk, I was fascinated by how the birds were moving in all sorts of funny ways. Sometimes dramatically, sometimes humorously, and sometimes calmly and gracefully. Coupled with this, I have always thought that yoga brings a sense of calmness and balance to children, as I have done it with them on many occasions. I thought incorporating the two concepts would be a fun way to explore movement that would also be beneficial for children's health. This activity strongly links to outcome 3 of the Early Years Learning Framework, ‘Children have a strong sense of wellbeing’ (EYLF, 2009), and comes with a lot of health benefits, including helping to regulate emotions, balance and coordination, motor skills, deep listening skills and imitation skills. Throughout this activity, I thought a lot about Uncle Winnie’s ‘Bird Dance’ (Basil Byrne, 2019) which sparked some of the inspiration behind this activity. I thought about how this was such a wonderful and meaningful dance, including many species of birds, native to Lake Cowal, which is a sacred region for Aboriginal traditional custodians. I found the dance inspiring and relaxing and wanted to recreate elements of it, which ended up combining birds and relaxation.

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During the cool down, I had the child lie down and close their eyes, imagining they were resting. They were a bit restless at first but soon settled down, taking deep breaths. Afterward, I asked about their favourite part of the session. The child excitedly mentioned the Flamingo Pose, and they also liked the idea of resting like a bird in a nest.

The session was quite successful in terms of engagement and enjoyment. It was challenging to keep the child focused for the entire 10 minutes due to their age and energy level, but the bird theme helped maintain interest. This activity demonstrated that yoga can be a fun and effective tool for introducing young children to physical activity and mindfulness. The child’s ability to try new poses and balance, even if briefly, was impressive and speaks to the potential benefits of incorporating yoga into playtime for children.

Overall, the bird-themed yoga provided a creative outlet and physical exercise, and it was a joy to see the child engage with yoga in a fun and meaningful way. This experience reaffirmed the importance of using themes and imaginative play to teach young children new skills.

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Drama Activity Summary: "Cozy Bird Nest" using imagination to become/imitate a bird in a bird's nest:

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Drama Activity Summary: "Cozy Bird Nest" using imagination to become/imitate a bird in a bird's nest:

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Objective: Help the child engage in imaginative play by creating and experiencing what it's like to be a bird in a nest.

Materials Needed:

A comfortable mat or a large cushion

A blanket or a large towel

Some leaves (real or artificial) or green fabric pieces to simulate leaves

A quiet, comfortable space

Activity Steps:

Setting the Scene (1 minute)

Begin by explaining to the child that today they will become a little bird who is building a nest. Tell them that birds use leaves, twigs, and other soft materials to make their nests cozy.

Show them the materials (mat, blanket, leaves) and explain how each will be used.

Building the Nest (3 minutes)

Place the mat on the floor as the base of the nest. This represents the spot where the bird decides to settle.

Invite the child to help you lay the blanket over the mat, arranging it in a circular, nest-like shape. Explain that the blanket is like the twigs and mud birds use to make their nests sturdy and comfortable.

Scatter the leaves around and inside the blanket to simulate the real environment of a nest. Allow the child to arrange the leaves as they like, fostering their creativity and decision-making.

Imagining Life in the Nest (3 minutes)

Once the nest is ready, encourage the child to sit or lie down in it. Ask them to imagine what it would be like to be a bird. What would they see? What sounds would they hear?

Prompt them to think about how they would care for their eggs, what they might eat, and how they would interact with other birds. This helps develop empathy and a deeper understanding of nature.

Story Time in the Nest (2 minutes)

While the child is in the nest, tell a short story or describe a day in the life of a bird. Incorporate elements of what you've built together, like the leaves rustling in the wind or the cozy feeling inside the nest.

Use soothing tones to enhance the feeling of being snug and safe in the nest.

Reflection and Cleanup (1 minute)

Ask the child about their experience: What did they like about being a bird? What did their nest feel like?

Help the child clean up, encouraging them to fold the blanket and gather the leaves, reinforcing the concept of caring for one's environment.

Conclusion: This short activity not only stimulates the child's imagination and creativity but also instils basic environmental awareness and a connection to nature. It’s a gentle, playful way to explore the roles of different creatures in our world and how they live.

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During my On Country walk in Assessment 2, I thought deeply about the life of a bird. I observed birds intently in their natural habitat which was a deeply inspiring experience. It allowed me to witness the simplicity and complexity of nature intertwined as birds go about their daily activities. From the delicate artistry of a nest constructed amidst the branches to the thrilling spectacle of a hawk soaring high above, each moment offers a glimpse into the resilience and adaptability of these creatures. Such observations not only deepened my appreciation for the natural world but also reminded me of the intrinsic value of conservation. They inspired me to live harmoniously with the environment, recognizing the delicate balance that sustains all life on Earth. I therefore thought that recreating the idea of a bird in its nest would resonate with a child, as children generally love to imitate animals. I believe that this activity strongly links to outcome 2 of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF, 2009), as children are given a chance to connect with their world and observe the creatures that live on this planet alongside us. I also think it is important to uphold the responsibility of caring for country, making sure we teach children to notice and develop an appreciation and connection to the non-human creatures. One way to do this is through imitation.

When observing the birds on my On Country walk, I thought a lot about the ‘Monkey Business Illusion’ (Daniel Simons, 2010). It is often very easy to miss other things, when you’re focused on one thing. So when observing the birds, I tried to pay attention to the environment around the bird, e.g. the weather, the time of day, their movements, where their eyes were pointing to, where they were flying to etc. This sparked the inspiration of the activity of imitation.

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At the end of the activity, I asked the child about their experience. They expressed delight in building the nest and mentioned that their favourite part was pretending to fly out and then come back to the nest. During cleanup, the child was helpful and seemed to understand the importance of putting things away after play, mimicking how birds would tidy and maintain their space. The "Cozy Bird Nest" activity was a resounding success. It not only entertained the child but also educated them about birds in a natural setting, providing a tactile and imaginative learning experience. The activity encouraged the child to think creatively and empathetically about living creatures, fostering a sense of care and curiosity about the natural world. Overall, this activity was a meaningful way to combine learning with play, and I would consider it a valuable addition to any early childhood educational setting or home learning environment. Next time, I would maybe consider adding some sticks and feathers as additional resources.