The Colours of Autumn

Sunni Chen

Autumn, what colour should it be?

The maple leaves danced in the air and said: "Autumn is red, look, I am dyed by the autumn wind."

The corn shook vigorously and said: "No, autumn is white, look at my adorable corn nut babies, they are the best proof."

The orange said, "No, no, autumn is orange, otherwise how could I have such a gorgeous golden coat?"

Autumn, what colour are you really? Everyone asked autumn.

Autumn replied "My dear friends, you are autumn, autumn is you. I am rich and colourful, filled with vibrant hues.

The video I shared showcases a simple stroll along the street next to my house. It's the main street I traverse daily. Following the assessment, I took another walk after picking up the kids from school. No matter how many times I walk along it, I find immense joy in every step. Each time feels like a magical moment shared between me and nature, as if we're conversing in our own language.

“Nature calls on us to look carefully and to focus at different distances” (Gano & Krull, 2020) On this street, I witness the changing seasons and feel the fleeting passage of time. Nature has a unique way of instilling a sense of relaxation and peace within me as I walk along it. Though it may be a small street, a brief walk, it holds immense significance in my eyes. It's not just a street to me; it's a miniature slice of nature. Each season and time of day offers something different to soothe or invigorate my mind.

When spring arrives, I take a relaxed walk with my child on the sidewalk. We watch as the branches of trees begin to sprout tender green shoots, and the chirping of birds fills our ears. In that moment, I see the vibrant new life, and we catch the scent of spring in the air.  During summer, the leaves grow lush and thick. Passing under the canopy of trees, a gentle summer breeze rustles the leaves, brushing lightly against my face. It's as if nature knows our summer fatigue and provides shade from the sun with its towering trees and cools us with its breeze. In that moment, all fatigue melts away, and we find relaxation. In autumn, the leaves gradually change colour. As the autumn wind blows through the trees, golden leaves carpet the streets. Walking slowly, listening to the sound of footsteps crunching on fallen leaves, it's like listening to beautiful music. I feel as if I'm walking on the red carpet at the Oscars, the romance and beauty making it hard to stop yet reluctant to finish. It's as if nature is rewarding hardworking people with its breathtaking scenery. In winter, trees line the road like sentinels. The crisp air brushes against our faces as we slowly tread the path, feeling its serene tranquillity.

As an early childhood educator who deeply loves nature, I often find myself asking, "Can I integrate this into my daily teaching? Will it enhance the children's learning experiences?" For example, in my creative work, I shared with you a relaxing walk near my house. As I observed the wind blowing and the leaves falling, covering the road, I felt inspired. These elements reminded me of a beautiful rhyme, and I wanted to sing it out loud. I wanted to dance with the wind. In that moment, I truly felt the desire to share this experience with someone, to show the children in my classroom how beautiful nature is, how amazing the seasons can be. So I pondered whether I could provide outdoor experiences for the children in my classroom. “Unless influenced otherwise, young children are fascinated by the natural world. They’re drawn to other living things, especially animals. They reach out to pick flowers, to put their hands in water and sand, and to dig for natural treasures in a mound of dirt. Evidence suggests that children also know and experience the natural world differently to adults” (Sebba, 1991; Wilson,1996a). To consider my future practice in an early childhood education setting, I believe I will start small, perhaps with a visit to the outdoor playground at the centre. Here, children can observe, smell, and touch nature, allowing them to use their senses to explore autumn. Expanding on this idea, I contemplate organizing a nature walk near the centre, enabling children to engage in risky play and allowing the natural environment to teach them various skills. As Richard Louv mentions in his book "Encouraging Creative Play and Learning in Natural Environments," much of what children need to learn during their early years cannot be taught but is discovered through play.” (Wilson, 2007, p. 6). Natural environments provide numerous opportunities for play, and there are significant benefits for children who engage in play in these settings. “Play in natural environments promotes holistic development by fostering growth across all developmental domains—adaptive, aesthetic, cognitive, communication, sensorimotor, and socioemotional. “(Wilson, 2007, p.6). While outdoors, we allow children to explore nature in their own way. They can sing with the birds, dance with the wind, and use the natural environment as the ultimate toolbox, using their imagination to create their own dramas.

Upon returning to the classroom, we can listen to the children's voices, set up a small drama stage full of the different nature resources for them to explore to extend their learning experiences, they can sing or dancing create their own drama. offer more nature-themed table activities for them to participate in, provide more books about nature for them to read, and sing different songs they enjoy.

Wilson, R. A. (2007). Nature and young children: Encouraging creative play and learning in Natural Environments. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.

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=1945844