The Waratah Room children were invited to paint with autumnal coloured dyes as a means of observing and considering natural stimuli. As a group, the children and their teachers continue to discuss items from nature that have been found outside during play experiences.

The children in the Waratah Room have been observing the changing autumn leaves.

The ‘Zoomy Handheld Digital Microscope’ was introduced to the program in order to support the children’s collective autumnal curiosities. The resource took the children’s scientific inquiry to a new level as they held the hand-friendly scope over an object, turned the top to focus, then pressed the control button to capture still images up to x43 magnification. This tool supported the children as they recorded their observations and investigations through the medium of visual art.

The Waratah Room children continue to discuss items from nature that have been found outside during play experiences.

“The leaves are different shapes from different trees. One is green and one is yellow and orange.” – Harriett.

“The leaf has spots and a green stem up the leaf. The spots are brown.” – James.

“It has a stem that goes all the way down and a stem that goes through the middle. This leaf has turned yellow and orange.” – Sunday.

This learning experience was designed to support this emerging interest in the changing autumn leaves and the children’s ongoing exploration of the outside environment and inquiries regarding the change in season.