As an educator, play can be used as a pedagogical tool which can be used for children to make them teach and learn critical concept of literacy, numeracy and concept of real world.

Play in the commercialized or computerized environment have some negative impact in children as they will not fully immersed in creative play to holistic way, too much od commercialized play deprives children from play and separates them from nature. (Wilson, 2018)

The natural environment is the ideal place for the children to engage in creative play as nature has lot of opportunities for them to offer, creative play involves ‘ risk – play’ and risk taking in play imitates risk development which include curiosity, exploration, deep concentration, fear and excitement. Risk play gives children to develop understanding of situation, their capabilities and learn how to avoid unnecessary risk and promotes balance and coordination. (Wilson, 2018)

According to Garder’s Theory (1999) everyone have different type of intelligence, culture and experience play a role in development of intelligence. Intelligence needs stimulating physical and social environment which can be achieved by creative play in natural environment. (Wilson, 2018) (Wilson, 2018)

References

Wilson, R. (2018). encouraging creative play and learning in natural enviornment. In Nature and Young chidren (pp. 1-18). new york: Routledge.

The mutton bird (theatre, 30 jun 2010) concept rooted in Tasmanian Aboriginal Culture and represent the ‘mutton bird’ and its migration story through dancing and movement. While walking through the trail’s ad listening different bird sounds I instantly connected with the concept and thinking about how I can contribute to the nature and protect these bird from getting extinct.   The concept emphasizing sustainable practices and respect for nature and transfer my current knowledge into the practice and thinking different ways to connect children with nature and inspire them to make partnership with it. So that children can foster a sense of responsibility towards nature and the wildlife and conserve them.

Dadirri describe as ‘inner listening and quite still awareness’ (Ungunmerr, 2025) which encourages mindfulness and profound connection. Through this video is used all my sense to do deep listening and connect with nature which arose so many question that make me realize that I have barely scratch the surface to make connection between children and environment. How can I inspire children to feel the deep connection beyond interruption and through play-based approach as it has it own challenges that arise during indoor setting.

Incorporating practices inspired by ‘mutton bird’ (theatre, 30 jun 2010) and ‘Dadirri’ (Ungunmerr, 2025) will challenge the traditional and structured way of learning and emphasize in experimental and reflective methods.

As a educator, I can create activities and setting up that involves nature walk and collaborative art project where children get inspiration from nature through dance, music and movement. Teaching children about their role in the world which align with Early Year Learning Framework as it foster deeper connections between children and environment. When these concepts combined with different art forms like music, dance and movement, provide powerful foundation for the holistic development of children

reference

theatre, b. (30 jun 2010). Bangarra Education Resources Mutton Bird. Australia https://youtu.be/o-PV98Oshkc?si=60cDRpE5jKs2GBN5.

Ungunmerr, M.-R. (2025). Dadirri Inner Deep Listening and Quiet Still Awareness. Retrieved from vu collaborate session 1 2008 music, movement and dramatic: https://vucollaborate.vu.edu.au/content/enforced/1816406-ECE2008-1-2023-HWB-151670/Dadirri_Handout%20(1)%20(1).pdf?ou=2150918