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I acknowledge the Bunurong and Wadawurrung Peoples as Traditional Owners of the lands on which I stand. I pay my respects to their Ancestors and Elders who always have, and always will, care for Country and the community.

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Exploring nature especially something that is connected to lakes/rivers and mountains is akin to therapy for me. This particular day when I commenced my walk and it is the path that I have taken numerous times but it doesn’t fail to surprise me each time. As I put my exploring lens on it is the wind that took me by the surprise. The swooshing and whistling sound was soothing, air felt refreshing against my skin the sky was covered in gentle hues but the clouds were trying to take over. I could hear the leaves rustling, the trees were swaying and the birds were flying cutting their way through the wind, I wondered whether they were enjoying the weather like me. Some were content on the grass looking for food.

The lake that usually appears smooth and calm had ripples as the water moved with the rhythm of the wind trying to escape the lake crashing into the stones nearby. Occasionally I would feel the warmth of the sun and everything would turn bright. The wildflowers that are sprouting seems like they were saying hello! I could hear the birds chirping and singing maybe announcing my arrival and the cars moving in the distance reminder of the vibrant life around me.

I could see the grass moving bending and moving creating ripples a little like it did on water, to me they looked like the characters from the movie trolls, maybe they were there singing and dancing underneath waving their shiny leaves. The green grass the sound of water and the smell of fresh air brings me a sense of nostalgia and longing of childhood that was spent outdoors making silly games and laughing. The freedom I felt then cannot be compared to anything, the freedom I wish to create for the future generations.

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In the quiet of the morning light

The sun is trying to shine bright

I see the sun playing peek a boo with the clouds

I feel the cool air of winter but the warmth of spring is just around the corner!

I see the shiny grass dancing with the wind maybe it’s a song of love or maybe a goodbye!

In the quiet of the morning light

I see and feel the birds gliding and embracing the wind!

I see the wind blowing through the trees saying come swing with me

I see a once blue water turn brown with the gust of the winds! As it swirled, twirled and splashed!

In the quiet of the morning light

I feel myself flowing and moving somewhere and nowhere

I feel myself breathing and exhaling into the wind as I let my mind wander immersing myself in the melody of nature.

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Different hues of my nature walk beaming with life.

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Nature has always captivated me and each time the experience feels surreal. My childhood has been surrounded with lush green forest, water and snowy capped mountains and whenever I’m close to nature it makes me smile as it feels I’m being transported to my childhood which instantly soothes my soul and calms my mind and If I think about nature is music is and an integral part of music is rhythm and sound which is abundant in nature like the sound of water, the rays of sun, rustling of leaves we just need to hear it as Miriam Rose-Ungunmerr said “a big part of Dadirri is listening” (Rose-Ungunmerr, 2024 Pg 1).This particular day the wind, the cloud and the environment itself were like gentle melody as I was able to delve deep into my senses, I could see the movement of the bird and trees, hear my breathing and the birds chirping, smell of the earth and the water, taste the droplets of the water, feel the cool fresh air in my hair and face and sense that the nature was happy to see me(Movement in the Wild: Nature as Dance Partner - the Earthbody Institute, 2017) I felt myself slow down as I felt the stillness and the movement of the wildlife I had a profound sense of connection something I have not felt since my childhood.

As I reflected a realization dawned on me that you don’t have to learn particular notes, movement, rhythm or imagination you just need the openness of your mind and body. When I was creating the poem, it was just my vivid imagination and my senses and if I look closely young children learn through their senses (Gano & Krull, 2020) and movement. Reggio Emilia approach of environment being the third teacher (Wilson 2023 pg 17) resonates with me, giving an environment where young minds are independent to choose and engage, they are able to visualize the environment in new ways then only they can sense the true wonder of the world (Wilson 2023 pg 18).

Overall, I realize the importance of aural and kinaesthetic approach and as an ECE focusing on holistic approach of development where music, physical movement, listening can support the overall development of the child. But I feel we are more focused on structured and academic needs of the child but forget learning is always evolving. Children need to be outside in the natural environment to learn from their own experience and from observing. I will try and create an environment which is open ended and inclusive and critically reflect on how to incorporate activities which can be drawn from natural environment

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Gano, D., & Krull, S. (2020, July). Natural Sensory Learning. Www.communityplaythings.com. https://www.communityplaythings.com/resources/articles/natural-sensory-learning

Movement in the Wild: Nature as Dance Partner - The Earthbody Institute. (2017, March 26). https://www.theearthbodyinstitute.com/2017/03/movement-in-the-wild-nature-as-dance-partner/

(n.d.). (n.d.). https://vucollaborate.vu.edu.au/content/enforced/1816406-ECE2008-1-2023-HWB-151670/Nature_and_Young_Children_Encouraging_Creative_Pla..._----_(Chpater_1_Children_creative_play_and_the_natural_environment) 2.pdf?ou=2040493

(2024). Vu.edu.au. https://vucollaborate.vu.edu.au/content/enforced/1783102-ECE2008-1-2023-H1B3-150037/Dadirri_Handout%20(1).pdf?ou=2040493