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Introduce children to the topic - Nature 

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Introduce children to the topic - Nature 

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Breaking up lesson- As an educator I'd start with a small fun activity to have the children become introduced to the topic of what nature is.

Creating a break up lesson will grab their attention so they are interested and add excitement in the lesson. Furthermore, sets the tone for what they're about to learn by involving them.

After they’ve finished their activity children will now sit in a circle and share their drawings. We now begin the lesson.

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Activity  - Exploring what nature is through a walk to the garden. After our walk, what comes to your head when you hear the word nature? What colours come to mind? Draw it.

Eg: My niece’s drawing of nature.

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First Activity Music - as a classroom we will collectively think of what sounds you hear when you go out to the garden. . After that the children and i will play a song of what sounds we heard on our excursion.

The video recording you’ll hear is my niece explaining the sounds she thinks of.

Song played : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suQ69K5CdFo

Second Activity Dance - After the children have established a song we will now develop a dance based on the movements of the trees and leafs when there is wind.

Children will stand up and each think of one movement to add in the dance.

Third Activity- Children will now put the song and dance to it based on the dance we have created. Once that is done we will play another audio of nature sounds and they will dance based on how the audio makes them feel.

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Video- My niece explaining the activity

One main reason why I've chosen nature as a topic to introduce it to children ,is due to the fundamentals of nature and how to connect with nature. Giving children the time and space to engage with nature will teach them how to treat it. Taking a lead on their own to develop a relationship on their own terms will benefit them.

As a child I remember my teacher taking us out to the school garden, letting us play, getting our hands dirty, teaching us fun facts about plants, animals such as worms, ants, & the compost bin etc. There are many ways to view nature, it also improves a child's social skills making them feel confident, it also increases a child's motor skills. Based on what I've read from Nature and Play (Ruth,2018)  that research was done on “preschool children and they were able to socially interact with their peers when outside rather than indoors” (Miranda, et al, 2017).

It also impacts children's physical well being. We see children currently involved in their devices however taking them "outside to play in the nature makes kids healthier by stimulating higher levels of physical activity.”.  (Ruth,2018)

It also brings calmness and mindfulness.

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It also brings calmness and mindfulness. Taking children out on a mindful walk to the garden helps children feel connected to themselves .

Similar to how I have felt when going out for a walk where I captured the trees, it was also my childhood park. It brought out memories and joyness that I want the children to experience now and remember later.

Furthermore, Nature is a big part of the Aboriginal culture and teaching children about it is significant. The First people Nation relationship with nature comes from their beliefs exploring their culture and views of nature and how it's presented will teach children how they view it as sacred. I have enjoyed listening to the audio of Wala is life ( Allara, 2018) and would present it to the children, having them pick out the sounds they hear throughout the audio and what they've understood.

Wala is life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XACgej9L80

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What went as expected? Asking the children what their views on Nature, hearing their answers such as Plants, Sun, Wind Grass, Leaf's and muddy puddles were expected stating what they were clearly seeing.

What did not go as expected? Nothing went unexpected however after having my niece and nephew listen to the videos specially the Wala is life my niece had a deeper understanding on aboriginal culture viewing nature. They listened very well to each sound of the white nature noise played, they pointed out the thunderstorm, wind, even the kookaburra and drums in the other audio.

What might you do differently next time? Explore different activities for children that they will relate to.

How might you use this growth in your future practice of early childhood education/Overall reflection?

Coming into this unit I was not expecting that there are deeper views to music, movement and drama until I joined this unit. I've learned that music is not only about songs, it has deeper meanings to it, it's also a language and part of cultures that have different viewings. Also movement is not dance but also can view it as seeing the trees swaying and dancing or even exploring your own imagination.

As a future educator being open to new things is important keeping the classroom exciting for children to come in, I've learnt that we can create an activity from the simplest things. Implementing music, dance and drama is significant having a corner in the classroom specifically for those will have children be able to let loose, have fun and also have fun whilst learning.

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Reference:

Slater, O.J. (2020). Storying: a Reflection on Entanglements with Indigenous Australian Methodology. www.repository.cam.ac.uk. [online] Available at: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/items/d3cedd96-54aa-4179-872b-67442c1da2f3.

www.youtube.com. (n.d.). Wala Is Life. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XACgej9L80.

Cocomelon - Nursery Rhymes (2020). Nature Walk Song | CoComelon Nursery Rhymes & Kids Songs. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suQ69K5CdFo.

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Merlin Robin's Lullabies (2023). relaxing sleep music for babies with Waterfall sounds, Nature Sounds. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPrUdQNPD60 [Accessed 22 Jul. 2024].

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