Authentically Connecting with Country Natalie Semple, Indigenous Inclusion Educational Leader > Everton Park Child Care and Development Centre
The positive links between connecting with nature and mental and physical health and wellbeing have been well established, but what does that look like in an early learning setting? At Everton Park Child Care and Development Centre, we embrace unstructured free play in our beautiful outdoor environment. Country is our classroom and our teacher; as educators we facilitate opportunities for children to authentically and sustainably connect with and learn from Country. Connecting with Country is about more than just taking our lessons outside. It’s a holistic pedagogy that is embedded across all areas of our program and practice. We develop respectful, reciprocal relationships with our environment and children are encouraged to take an active role as caretakers; planting and maintaining gardens, managing composting systems, nurturing wildlife and engaging in mindfulness and meditation experiences. This supports children to feel more connected with the Country that they live and learn on. We encourage children to become observers, to slow down and take time to appreciate the unique beauty within our environment; we notice the way the she-oak needles capture the morning dew, or the butterfly laying her eggs on the jasmine leaves. We feel the texture and strength of a tree trunk and relish in the smell of the earth after the rain.
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EARLY EDITION > SUMMER 2021
As the children become more connected and engaged with our environment, they begin to predict and make observations about the cyclical changes that occur. We look forward to the dazzling yellow display of the wattle flowers and the cascading red of the Illawarra flame tree. We welcome the ringtail possums building their nests in our branches and seasonal return of the harlequin beetles. It is through these observations that we develop an intimate knowing and connectedness with our environment.
