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The Education Hub (2020, June 29). The Reggio Emilia approach. The Education Hub. https://theeducationhub.org.nz/the-reggio-emilia-approach/

Wooten V. (2013, May). Music as a Language [Video]. TEDxGabriolaIsland. https://youtu.be/2zvjW9arAZ0?si=We8nxMjRy71dJ2aC

Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) (2018). National Quality Standard: The Environment As The "Third Teacher". https://www.acecqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2018-04/QA3_TheEnvironmentAsTheThirdTeacher.pdf

Miriam, Ungunmerr R., & Baumann (2015). Dadirri: Inner Deep Listening and Quiet Still Awareness. Dadirri Disability Services. https://www.dadirri.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Dadirri-Inner-Deep-Listening-M-R-Ungunmerr-Bauman-Refl1.pdf

Wilson, R. A. (2018). Nature and young children: Encouraging creative play and learning in natural environments (3rd ed.). Routledge. https://go.openathens.net/redirector/vu.edu.au?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.taylorfrancis.com%2Fbooks%2Fmono%2F10.4324%2F9781315148533%2Fnature-young-children-ruth-wilson

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Connecting with nature is essential for children's sensory learning. 

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Connecting with nature is essential for children's sensory learning. 

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Learning begins with sensory engagement. ACECQA (2018) demonstrated that "Behind educators and families, physical spaces hold the potential to influence what and how children learn". Nature play plays a vital role in supporting children's sensory development and ecological learning. For example, by observing the practical interaction between water, trees and sun, children can learn about photosynthesis more effectively. Children also learn about seasonal change by noticing flowers grow in spring while leaves fall in autumn.

Therefore, I want to integrate nature visiting sessions into my future pedagogical practices, allowing children to study from real life experiences rather than relying on textbooks.

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Creating an open-ended play learning environment

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Creating an open-ended play learning environment

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Loose parts play is essential for children's development. It fosters their imagination and creativity, which is evident when they create their own imaginative stories, friends and symbolizing things with natural materials.

For examples, a tree branch can be a magic wand or a drumstick.

The experience brought me back to my childhood memories, when I saw various images shaped by clouds, or used blanket as a princess dress. It highlight that children have a vivid imagination and can use a material to symbolize various things.

It also informed my pedagogical practices by inspiring me to create an open-ended learning environment with loose parts. While outside spaces often offer more opprtunities for active interaction with nature, natural materials can be brought indoors as an alternative setting for nature play (Wilson, 2018). I understand that outdoor sessions are not always available, so bringing natural materials into class will be included in my teaching plans. I want to ensure that children have opportunities to engage in both oudoor and indoor activities, wherever they learn in.

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Nature place is essential for children's holistic development: The Reggio Emilia Approach

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Nature place is essential for children's holistic development: The Reggio Emilia Approach

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From a child's view, nature is a whole new world with colorful and interesting things to explore. In the Reggio Emilia Approach, the environment as a "third teacher". This educational philosophy is based on the image of a child as an active and competent learner with a natural curiosity. They may wonder how birds live, why some trees are empty while others remain full.

In outdoor environments, children can also engage in motor activities that promotes both mental and physical health. They may run on the grass field, jump on dried leaves, and walk on stones.

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The Original Video - Instruction of my paralyxis

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The Original Video - Instruction of my paralyxis

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This video records my experiences at Fitzroy Garden. I could hear multiple sounds here, and felt the connection with nature. Nature is not simply a place for looking and walking, but also to immerse in my peaceful innerworld, where more-than-humans livings giving care.

I know that you are really excited to discover further this nurturing world. To figure out more, I would like to invite you to scroll, slowdown and connect to each scenes with me.

For classifications:

Blue: For Creative Response

Green: For Analytical Response

Youtube Link: https://youtube.com/shorts/ee7yEDM5-SE?si=yN9RJmiHTdH50ZAi

I hope you will enjoy my experiences!

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VIDEO FOR AST2 ECE2008 - MY EXPERIENCES WITH NATURE

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A little rock town, where moss grow and live. 

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Moving deeper inside, I saw a rock kingdom.

Rocks are worn out with age spots and jaggedness. This proves their persistence and resilience, even after decades of living. The residents here are moss. They grow and develop in a small town, so the rocks are not alone. Their mission is not only for beauty, but also dedicating their greeny freshness to fulfill vitality for rocks.

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I saw black rocks stacking in layers and forming a stair shape. This structure helps them to enjoy cool and pure water, while delivering cool water source for other creatures like birds to drink, shower and relax. The gurgling waterfall roared and babbled as it hit the stones. I could smell its fresh scent, combining with the earthy aroma of wet rocks and moss. With the sunlight, the rocks and water were shiny and sparkling.

Grey rocks are solid, dry and jagged fences that surround two sides. They protect the rock stair, where waterfall flows. Unlike black rocks, they are faint with freshness of water. Therefore, moss are their best friends, highlighting the beauty of calmness and meditation.

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Nature encourages us to slow down and feel the sense of belonging. 

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Nature: Where souls are healed and nurtured with love

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Nature: Where souls are healed and nurtured with love

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One of the most captivating sights I witnessed today was a moment of deep bonding. My heart was warmed suddenly when seeing the innocent children learning about love through observing their parents sharing love with each other. While one child captured the moment, the others' soul was nurtured by this positive energy. This poignant scene evoked the preciousness of love, family and connection.

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When I entered the garden, a combination of gentle and high-pitched chirping sounds echoed throughout the garden. This is the tradition of birds here to welcome and invite visitors like me. I felt the sense of belonging and realised myself as a part of nature. This moment highlights a profound connection of humans and animals.

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The toddler was running excitedly and showing his mom somethings he explored.

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Walking inside, I heard serious conversations between birds. Miriam et al. (2015) highlighted that learning not only occurs with critical questions, but also when we use our senses, specifically listening and observing, to connect with the environment. Wooten (2013) supported the ideas by emphasizing that "Whenever you could hear is when you probably started learning". By participating to the variations in birds' chirping, I learned their language through pitch and rhythm. I felt quite scared when they began screaming with more intense voices. But a rainbow lorikeet saw and asked me to help him reconcile and stop the noise. I looked at each side and waited for them to calm down. At the moment, I also explored more Australian birds when observing. It was hilarious that the Rainbow Lorikeet tweaked with his powerful voice to stop the conflict.

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Playing music with Nature: A Natural Drum.

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Playing music with Nature: A Natural Drum.

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Did you know that we can play music with natural materials?

I was quite bored and wanted to play music. Luckily, I found a broken tree branch with a bunch of leaves and pine cones. While experimenting, I explored that a tree branch can be a drumstick, and...guess what? My drum was created magically!

Then, I started composing an instrumental piece by knocking the tree branch on pine cones and striking on a bunch of leaves. Although rustling leaves sounds like cymbals, it is sharp and rough. Therefore, the wind howled gently to add a little softness to my song. Besides, I tapped two pine cones and they work like percussion sticks.

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A combination of swinging trees, rustling leaves and windy sounds created a delightful symphony, encouraging me to slow down and feel the vibe.