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https://youtu.be/_1pl7lFWzVI

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https://youtu.be/VMNoQmi1izc

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When I come to this place, I feel connected to the place, I notice the gum trees firmly rooted in the ground as the eucalyptus fragrance fills the air. I also see birds searching for food and I hear the rustling of the leaves as the wind blows and birds chirp. This place has native plants, during Autumn I saw the tree changing colours. I can also feel the sun brush my skin making me feel warm and welcome connecting me deeper to the natural environment.

This place reminds me of my childhood, I used to love climbing trees and hearing the wind blow makes me feel calm whilst connecting me to the nature.

As an Educator, we need to let the children explore the natural environments, for them to experiment and explore with their senses.

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I made the dance with the wind; I show my dance and movements which were inspired from what I noticed in my video on the country visit. With my imagination like a child, I can choreograph the movements with what I hear how it makes me feel connected to the environment.

We can apply this teaching to help inspire the children to use their imagination and make creative movements. As the children are inspired by my movements of the rustling leaves and birds they build a richer multi-sensory understanding of the land. With what they hear and feel from their surroundings. This would allow them to engage further with the land and atmosphere around them. This aligns with EYLF outcome 3: respond through movement to traditional and contemporary music, dance and storytelling. (ACECQA,2022, pp47)

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Australian Government Department of Education. (2022). Belonging, Being and becoming: the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (V2.0). ACECQA. https://www.acecqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-01/EYLF-2022-V2.0.pdf

Welcome, by Aunty Joy Murphy AO, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Elder. (n.d.). Www.youtube.com. https://youtu.be/i9ta1EQJYqE

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

Wilson, R. (2007). Nature and Young Children : encouraging creative play and learning in natural environments. Routledge.

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=2150941

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When I saw the gum tree in that place, the tree inspires me with a big trunk and the smell of the leaves reminds me of the Aunty Joy Murphy’s YouTube video which symbolise the welcome to country and that we are welcome “from the tops of these trees to the roots of the earth”. This symbol allows us to connect with the land and respect it. It also grants us freedom to the land, and gives us a responsibility to honour the land (Welcome, by Aunty Joy Murphy AO, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Elder, n.d.)

As I danced with the breeze, I followed my imagination which let me create ideas for my movements. According to Ruth Wilson (2007), she emphasizes that play helps children gain an understanding of themselves and the world around them. She also discusses that play gives children an irreplaceable learning experience to explore their environments and imaginations. Through this approach it allows the children to engage with their environment encouraging a holistic learning experience for the children. Additionally, the experiences that the children gain at a young age will help them with future abilities such as reading, writing and drawing. Through play also promotes other cognitive skills which are incorporated in the child’s development (Wilson, R., 2007).

In future practices we can provide leaves to the children to touch, feel, see and smell with their senses and explain the message of symbol of respect and reconciliation with Aboriginal peoples. To allow the children to gain knowledge and importance of connection to place and respect to the land that we are on. This aligns with EYLF outcome 2: connected and contribute to their world. (ACECQA, 2022, pp.39-43).

Through this activity they can explore and investigate their senses through the leaves which actively builds strong connections in the brain (Gano & Krull, 2020). Educators can create new natural resources for the children to engage with art and stimulate their creativity. Other forms of creativity can also include dance movement, music, song and dramatic play, storytelling through outdoor inspiration from the gum tree leaves. This supports the children’s social skills and their learning through play in the natural environment. This practice can be put in our planning and curriculum program.