I would like to acknowledge and recognise the Traditional Custodians of the Land, past, present and future.

I felt as if I was in an aviary, bird watching exotic species. I felt free and happy, I loved the feeling of the sun on my face and the wind dancing along my head. This small moment captured a warm summer embrace on a cold winters day.

One of their favourite past times was going to the park and taking a stroll, arms linked and hands united; reminiscing about the many years spent together. Mary always carried a small plastic bag with bread, while George carried a blanket to place on the park bench. Each day they were in the park they fed the ducks, listening to their quacks and waddles of their feet along the pavement.

Everything was fun and delightful, until one day George got quite sick, he was no longer able to walk to the park with Mary.

Mary didn’t want to go to the park without George.

Mary first suggested using a wheelchair so she might be able to push George, but George reminded Mary of the large hills and how he was a lot bigger than she was.

Mary was determined to find a way that she would still be able to have a special moment with her husband.

The next morning Mary had set out to the local supermarket, collecting some ingredients. Whilst at the store Mary bought a dozen fresh eggs, she was so shocked to see their price go up, but knew how desperately she needed them.

As Mary placed the groceries away, she had sat in her car ready to drive home; when a suggestion of love sparkled her mind.

Mary had quickly conducted a u-turn and drove to the local markets.

Mary had arrived home exceptionally late that day, George began to worry, watching the Cuckoo Clock chime and sing, as if it were tweeting to say, “where is she?”

When Mary arrived home, George was perplexed, she had only entered with one shopping bag; what could’ve made her take this long? And where was she wondering off to now?

When George had located Mary, he found her proudly standing outdoors, small tweets rang out behind her. Once she had stepped aside she revealed 4 small chickens running along the grass, “Well, don’t just stand there George, you have a coop to build.”

6 months has passed, Mary and George have their blanket and plastic bread bag in their arms, carefully walking outdoors to sit on their bench. The 3 chickens and now 1 large rooster quickly run to the couple, pecking the ground to eat the bread.

Mary and George listen to their calls and crows, in awe of their new park bench.

My driveway seemed calm, peaceful, mindful. What I did hear was tweeting of birds, singing each other a song. I heard the winds, twigs and leaves moving in trees; I even heard the occasional crow of a rooster.

This observation created a realisation for myself, that there was so much background noise that I didn’t expect to hear.

Murray Schafer had stated, “If you listen carefully your life is enhanced, it becomes much more interesting,” (Canada, 2009).

This quote resonated with me as after filming my thirty second video, I realised how important listening was. I felt connected and in touch with reality. “The world is a huge musical composition,” (Schaffer, 2009). Taking a moment to stop and slow down, allowed me to not only hear, but to see birds flying to their nests, trees dancing in the wind, and the sun to glisten through openings of tree branches. I was able to feel the sun warm my body and the wind tickle my cheeks.

After partaking in Scaffer’s ideas and views, I realised the connection it had with the Dadirri reading (Ungunmerr, 2024). This reading described the benefits in which the Indigenous peoples have found, that slowing down and allowing time to enjoy the world around you fosters moments of being able to experience life to the fullest. Recognising and acknowledging the beauty of sound and movement.

My story allowed me to have freedom of creative expression, allowing me to feel closer to my late grandmother. Using the Reggio Emilia approach I was able to explore my natural environment and express myself using multiple languages and paths, including: expressive, communicative, symbolic, ethical, metaphorical, cognitive, logical, imaginative and relational (Edwards et al., 1998).

I believe bringing this outlook into my current service would be beneficial for all educators, that they too might be able to calm themselves and even notice things about children that might be unseen before. Having these moments that allow adults to slow down and carefully listen, create the possibility of valuing and respecting children’s play/decisions. It is only through wonder that children learn what the world really is (Wilson, 2007). These opportunities for wonder can be made by appreciating the sounds that surround our lives, acknowledging the way the world moves, and respecting these sounds and implementing them to our thoughts and ways.

Edwards, C. P., Gandini, L., & Forman, G. E. (1998). The hundred languages of children : the Reggio Emilia approach--advanced reflections (2nd ed.). Ablex Pub. Corp.

Ungunmerr, M. R. (2024). Dadirri. Vu.edu.au. https://vucollaborate.vu.edu.au/content/enforced/1783102-ECE2008-1-2023-H1B3-150037/Dadirri_Handout%20(1).pdf?ou=2040493

Wilson, R. (2007). Nature and Young Children. Routledge.