I went back to Footscray Park today, and it felt like coming home. It was a windy day which just made it a perfect day for visiting.I found the park was full of birds, colourful flowers, tall trees, and the river flowing gently. On the side, people were play football and hearing the sounds of nature made me feel happy and refreshed. Visiting this park brought back so many memories — the last time I was here was on my wedding day four years ago for a photoshoot and throughout all my visit, I kept wondering why I have not been coming here all this time as I felt amazing throughout my visit.  This park was the first park I came to when I had just moved to Australia more than 12 years ago. I remembered coming here with my siblings and enjoying nature. This visit was about reconnecting with nature and myself, and noticing how simple experiences can make you feel joyful and grateful. this visit helped me see how sound, movement, and drama can shape our experiences with place, and how these ideas can inspire children’s learning too

The sounds I noticed on my walk were mostly from the different birds in there. Each one had a different song to sing, and together they gave a different vibe to the park, made the park feel alive and cheerful. Even the wind had its own sound as it moved through the trees and brushed my skin. Wilson (2007) says that nature gives children lots of sounds and feelings to explore. While walking I could imagine children copying the birds, making up songs, or using the wind to inspire movement, just like I felt inspired while listening to them.

Movement

I moved a lot while walking through the park. I bent down to smell flowers, walked under tall trees, ran from one side to the other side and felt my body sway with the breeze. It almost felt like dancing with the park, without planning it. I was so happy moving around unexpectedly that I could not stop smiling. Wright (2012) explains that children learn through their bodies as well as their minds. I saw this in myself — moving through nature made me feel connected and part of it. For children, running, stretching, or climbing in nature is their way of exploring and expressing themselves. There is lots of space for their little bodies to explore and express themselves by moving around however they want.  

Drama

Being in the park also made me remember past stories from my life. I thought about my wedding day here four years ago, wearing my colourful traditional clothes, and my first days in Australia with my siblings, throwing stones in the river. The park felt like a stage where my own stories were played in front of me . Wilson (2007) explains that natural environments invite imaginative play. I could see a lot of room for imaginative and creative play in there where children could do the same — creating stories inspired by birds, wind, or flowers — turning the outdoors into their stage.

I also realised how memories and personal stories make these experiences more meaningful. The park reminded me of my wedding day and my early days in Australia which made my day extra special, children can bring their own experiences too. It’s important to value each child’s story so they feel safe and inspired.

The EYLF (2009) states that children learn through belonging, being, and becoming. By exploring nature around us with sound, movement, and drama, children can feel connected to the world, to others, and to themselves. Outdoor play can be both creative and meaningful for learning. It can be an opportunity for lots of different learnings.