The Wonder of the Natural World

The children have been exploring the concept of repetitive patterning through different objects and materials including polished stones.

The natural world offers so many opportunities for children to incorporate elements of nature in their play. Our beautiful playground supports the children’s learning and throughout the year, we have enjoyed many discussions about the ever-changing environment. The children are encouraged to explore, question and share their observations as they play outdoors. They frequently use natural materials to further their understanding of concepts and in their dramatic play.

The children have been designing patterns with Unifix blocks.

The children have been exploring the concept of repetitive patterning in the classroom. They have been working independently and in groups to design patterns with Unifix blocks before repeating them with coloured strips of paper. This interest has continued to flourish outdoors with the children collecting polished stones, sticks, many different leaves, petals and tan bark to create a variety of patterns.

Pitch is another concept the children have been discovering through their interaction with natural materials.

“We made a rock band and we taped different sized rocks, some were long, some were round, some were big and some were small. We decided to make music with them. The sounds were different. The small rocks made high sounds and the big ones made low sounds.” – Simona

Every day provides new and wondrous opportunities for discovery and learning.

Mrs Penny Campbell, Banksia Room Teacher