The Mystical Lake by

On Country Visit

s8013745 — 2024-09-06 06:55:42 UTC

Analysis of the walk at the lake

Sound

-Ducks quacking

-Birds chirping

-The crunching of the branches and small rocks as I walked

-Wind

-Water lapping

Movement

- Ducks swimming in the lake

- Branches and trees swaying in the wind

Drama

-Crunching of branches as I walked on them

-Me standing close by the docks although I have a fear of all birds

The Mystical Lake (Podcast)

s8013745 — 2024-09-06 08:05:02 UTC

The concept of this podcast is derived from the ducks that I came across at the lake during my on-country visit. Despite my phobia towards birds/ducks, it was an experience that allowed me to step out of my comfort zone. I hope that you enjoy listening to this podcast as much as I enjoyed making it.

Reflection 1 "Sensory Experiences"

s8013745 — 2024-09-06 09:51:06 UTC

When I first arrived at the lake, it was empty. All I could hear was the wind and the sound of the branches that had fallen from the trees and the small rocks crunching as I walked over them. As I got closer to the ledge of the lake, I started to notice the ducks swimming over to where I was standing. At that moment all sounds became one: the sound of the ducks quacking, birds chirping, wind swaying, water gently lapping and the sounds of the rocks and branches as I walked. The combination of these created the perfect auditory environment. The lake was the perfect stimulating environment; the natural sounds of the lake provided a background for learning as well as encouraging curiosity and discovery (Edwards et al., 2011).

In an environment like this, children can observe and imitate the ripples the ducks make in the water while they swim. It is a scene that is stimulating visually and physically. This aligns with the Reggio Emilia approach and (Wilson., 2007) which emphasises that natural settings, change, flow and movement can stimulate learning, cognitive and physical growth.

The lake sets as a rich, dramatic play environment; it can enhance children to create stories using their imagination after seeing the ducks. Children can create stories around the ducks and the natural setting around them, this experience can integrate the use of drama into their learning. This dramatic play can help to enhance language and social skills (Edwards et al., 2017).

The earthy smell of the lake and the colours of the ducks with their quacking set a sensory experience. The Reggio Emillia approach supports children interacting with their environment; as it can enhance their engagement and influence them to connect with nature on a deeper level (ACECQA, 2018).

Reflection 2 "Feelings and Thoughts"

s8013745 — 2024-09-06 10:50:52 UTC

My visit to the lake was a mix of calming as well as fear. In one aspect, the environment's stillness created a calming effect, which allowed my mind to feel at peace for a split second. (Gandini., 2012) empathises that emotional involvement is necessary for learning; this visit allowed me to connect and be one with nature in that moment. Although it is a setting that is peaceful. In another aspect, I did feel quite anxious while at the lake. At first, before the ducks were close by, I was able to soak in the calming feelings and thoughts that were passing through my mind, but once the ducks got closer towards me, my feelings and thoughts turned into panic and anxiety due to my phobia.

Visiting the lake reminded me of how I spent most of my days outdoors as a child. I continuously engaged with the environment around me, whether that was playing with mud and making “mud cake” or climbing the trees while playing with my imagination. The integration of sensory experiences is crucial; it can enhance learning, curiosity and understanding. Providing children with the opportunity to play in natural settings can greatly enhance their multiple sensory languages, which then can help them grasp a deeper connection and learning process in their environment (Wilson., 2018).

Reflection 3 "Future Practice"

s8013745 — 2024-09-06 12:51:10 UTC

As an educator, I would integrate nature into children's learning, this aligns with (Wilson.,2018) who highlights that it is crucial to incorporate natural environments in creative play and education. The integration of outdoor and nature environments with activities into the curriculum could enhance children’s sensory growth and development. By incorporating this approach, it may encourage a transition from indoor education to outdoor and nature-based settings, which may result in stronger relations with the environment. Play based in nature may serve to be more beneficial rather than traditional practices due to it introducing exploration and sensory experiences. Integrating new approaches could result in a revision of the current curriculums and education environments, this approach aligns closely with the traditional education approaches, which emphasise holistic approaches, and experimental learning. This results in an engaging and developmental approach to teaching environments.

References

s8013745 — 2024-09-06 12:52:27 UTC

ACECQA. (2018). The environment as the “third teacher.” https://www.acecqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2018-04/QA3_TheEnvironmentAsTheThirdTeacher.pdf

Dadirri Inner Deep Listening and Quiet Still Awareness 1988.,<https://vucollaborate.vu.edu.au/content/enforced/1752123-ECE2008-1-

2023-H1B1-148814/Dadirri_Handout.pdf?&d2/SessionVal=UWhX3UstDjWIM7zNndzLQnUPF&ou=1752123>.

Edwards, C, Gandini, L, Forman, G, & Reggio, CS (eds) 2011, The Hundred Languages of Children: the Reggio Emilia Experience in Transformation, 3rd Edition: The Reggio Emilia Experience in Transformation, ABC-CLIO, LLC,

Westport. Available from: ProQuest

Ebook Central.

Wilson, R. (2018). Nature and Young Children: Encouraging Creative Play and Learning in Natural Environments (3rd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315148533

Wilson, R, 2007, Children, creative play, and the natural environment, in R. Wilson (edn) Nature and Young Children: Encouraging Creative Play and Learning in Natural Environments, Routledge. Ch 1, pp 1-18.ebookcentral.proquest.com/l

ib/vu/detail.action?docID=324894>

Reflection 4 "Artefact"

s8013745 — 2024-09-07 04:44:16 UTC

Dadirri emphasises the inclusion of natural components such as the trees and branches of the environment, and the act of observing quietly can result in mindfulness. Observing, listening and stillness are all components that allowed me to connect with the environment. This action conveys the stillness and calmness of my on-country visit to the lake (Dadirri, 1988). The incorporation of natural materials is consistent with (Wilson, 2017) who emphasises that it is crucial to incorporate nature when organising children’s creative play and education. As this can promote multisensory engagement with their natural environment. With the incorporation of the podcast and various images, I was able to showcase the elements in the natural environment, such as the lake, trees, and ducks, and be an active learner during the process. Which aligns with Reggio Emillia’s philosophy that the environment is a powerful teacher (ACECQA, 2018).

s8013745 — 2024-09-07 04:48:09 UTC

Reference of the ducks that I was scared off.