Learning from our oak tree

Naomi Wright Director of the Murray W. Verso Centre for Early Childhood Learning

Young children are naturally curious and have an innate desire to explore the world around them.

The oak tree in the Early Learning Centre garden is a pivotal part of our space.

We view our tree as a symbol of a partnership between our pedagogy, the environment and the children’s learning and development.

As the seasons change, our students are active observers in how our tree adapts to the new weather conditions. Autumn brings the discovery of acorns and then the bare limbs of the tree through winter. As spring comes around, our tree is full of bright, green, new leaves providing a canopy of shade for the long, warm months of summer.

Just as our tree provides us with shade, it also offers a sense of belonging for various creatures. Similar to our oak tree, our partnerships within the ELC provide support, empathy and promotion of wellbeing. Year-round it provides shelter, predictability and stability.

Oak trees are known for their strength, resilience and longevity. These are key areas of our centre’s philosophy of learning and development. As our students engage and learn through our curriculum, they problem solve, adapt, overcome challenges, and develop their inner strength. We provide a platform for children's holistic development, including physical, cognitive, social, emotional and spiritual aspects.

Just like our little learners, from a small acorn a majestic oak tree develops and blossoms. The branches of our tree represent interconnectedness and collaboration. Our students thrive when working in partnerships and groups. They share resources, negotiate the play space and collaborate towards common goals. Just as the branches of an oak tree support their ever-changing leaves, so do our learners as they rely on collective efforts, their educators and each other.

In the ELC, there is an understanding that our footprints take on a role of caretaker of the earth and a sense of stewardship. We encourage children to develop a deep respect and appreciation for all cultures and the many ways of knowing and being. We are continuously working and learning to strengthen and share our partnerships with our Indigenous culture. It is our privilege to provide a space in which the next generation of voices can learn, reflect, understand and appreciate the land on which they earn, rest and play.

Our learners love our oak tree and know that it wasn’t always there. They know that unlike other plants in the ELC garden, it is not Indigenous to the Wurundjeri land.

They appreciate its beauty and all it offers us, but we work together to add Indigenous and native plants back into the earth, to show our respect and deepen our learner and land connection.