Today I’ve learned about a new approach called forager pedagogy. This pedagogy is grounded in First Nations perspectives, which, as you know, are an important part of the EYLF and the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework. Our core curriculum documents.
A foraging approach means you are someone who forages. Picking mushrooms, berries. Something very cultural for me. I grew up in the country, in the environment called tundra, in the Arctic North, and I foraged a lot. I used to walk on country. It’s something I keep enjoying, because for me it provides a lens of relaxing, of mindfulness, of being with myself while being deeply connected to something bigger than I am.
Walking is the easiest way to relax, to become more mindful, to feel grounded
So let’s talk about the theory behind it.
The core idea of foraging is to look for something. In literature, they call it look for traces of ghosts of what is now gone. Following marks, seeking out, paying attention. You shift perspective up and down, from the sky to the ground, far into the distance and then up close. Your eyes relax. Your gestures become more animal-like. You move your body the way other non-human animals do. You also recognise how you have become separated from all of it through boots and clothes. That gives you a sense of grounding, at least it does for me.
Adopting this lens matters if you’re looking to welcome more First Nations perspectives, country-based learning and play-based pedagogy into your practice. The EYLF now encourages us to do all of this.
Think about how you can use this pedagogy to create more presence, or refiguring presence, as they say in the research and in the book on children and nature. I really like the idea of relational kinship, which goes back to being with country and to First Nations perspectives, where country is a living entity, and where family, ancestors, lore and spiritual beliefs are all part of it. Lore here is something like law and regulations, or moral law. This way you become part of something bigger, and you provide reciprocal care. You look after country, and country looks after you.
You can also think of the forager lens as noticing ways of communication. Children are still acquiring language, so we can look at how plants, animals, mushrooms and mycelium communicate. What signals, what warnings, what conversations are happening?
One of the easiest things to do is walk. That gives you sensory attunement as well. When you’re tired, you can sit down and sit with country, or sit on a stump while you’re picking mushrooms, which is completely natural. While you do it, you can listen to the earth’s heartbeat. You can lie down and look at the sky, at the clouds, and feel the wind.
This is something I encourage you to start doing with children. And by yourself.
What if the best learning experiences for children were already waiting outside your door—completely free?
Nature play doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, some of the most meaningful outdoor experiences for children cost little to nothing at all. Here are some creative, budget-friendly nature play ideas that will inspire wonder, creativity, and connection with the natural world. They are all trialed in real ELCs and with real children plus children at heart.
Process Art with Natural Materials
One of the simplest yet most engaging activities is creating process art using tree bark. Take children on a nature walk to collect fallen bark pieces, then let them explore the textures, patterns, and possibilities. They can use the bark for printing, collage, or simply as a canvas for their artistic expression. This activity celebrates the journey of creation rather than focusing on a finished product, allowing children to explore freely without pressure.
Colour Hunt Adventures
Transform paint samples into a learning adventure! Visit your local Bunnings and grab free colour sample cards, then head outdoors for a colour matching scavenger hunt. Children can match the colours on their cards to flowers, leaves, rocks, and other natural treasures. This activity sharpens observation skills, teaches colour recognition, and gets kids moving while exploring their environment with fresh eyes.
Aboriginal Flag Colours in nature
Use nature to teach about culture and heritage. Explore the colours of the Aboriginal flag through natural materials: find yellow flowers or leaves to represent the sun, red earth or clay for the ochre, and dark soil or stones for the black. This activity opens conversations about Indigenous culture, respect for Country, and the deep connections between people and land.
Storytelling in Nature
Bring stories to life with simple puppet shows outdoors. Traditional tales like Tiddalick the Frog offer wonderful opportunities to combine storytelling with nature play. You can create simple puppets from natural materials or use soft toys, then act out stories under a shady tree. This nurtures imagination, language development, and a love for Australian stories and wildlife.
Read-Aloud Time Under the Sky
Take story time outside!
Books about Australian wildlife, like stories featuring galahs and magpies, become even more engaging when read in nature, where children might spot the real creatures. The outdoor setting adds sensory richness to the reading experience and helps children connect literary experiences with the natural world around them.
Songs and Rhymes about Nature
Classic songs like “Here is a Beehive” take on new meaning when performed outdoors. Use finger puppets or natural materials to enhance the experience. Singing in nature combines music, movement, and environmental awareness in a joyful package that costs nothing but creates lasting memories.
Can you guess what song will fit this play space?
Create a Sensory Garden Space
You don’t need a large area or expensive plants to create a sensory garden. Even a small patch with herbs like mint, rosemary, or lavender can provide rich sensory experiences. Children can touch soft leaves, smell fragrant flowers, listen to leaves rustling, and observe insects visiting blooms. A sensory garden grows over time and provides ongoing opportunities for exploration and discovery.
Why Nature Play Matters?
These simple activities offer so much more than entertainment. Nature play supports physical development, emotional wellbeing, creativity, and environmental awareness. It doesn’t require expensive equipment or elaborate planning, just a desire to step outside and explore.
The beauty of nature play is that it’s accessible to everyone. Plus nature is not only in nature reserves, it’s in your backyard, your local garden or park, in an urban environment. Right now, a raven is asking for food, as I finish writing this post.
So grab those free paint samples, collect some fallen bark on your next walk, and let nature be your classroom. The richest learning experiences often come from the simplest moments outdoors.
Mud play is an important part of early childhood education, but it is often underused, due to educators’ limiting beliefs, parents’ attitudes or lack of prepared environments. Mud play offers rich opportunities for children to explore, create, and connect. Whether it’s through digging, sculpting, or making “mud pies,” mud play fosters sensory play, encourages nature play, and supports holistic development. For early childhood educators and students, integrating mud play into daily practice aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and supports children’s connection to Country, particularly when reflecting on the knowledge and practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Mud Play as Sensory and Nature Play
Mud play engages children in sensory play, stimulating their sense of touch, sight, and even smell. When children squish mud between their fingers, pour water into dirt, or sculpt shapes, they engage in sensory-rich experiences that promote neural connections and fine motor skills. Research highlights that sensory play supports children’s self-regulation, creativity, and problem-solving abilities (Menezes, 2022).
Beyond sensory benefits, mud play encourages nature play, fostering a connection with the outdoors. As they interact with natural elements, children develop an appreciation for the environment and a sense of stewardship. This is particularly significant in the Australian context, where learning about and connecting to nature ties deeply to the perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, who have cared for the land for tens of thousands of years. Mud play can be a way to foster a connection to Country, promoting respect for land and culture.
Cultural Significance: Linking Mud Play to Connection to Country
In Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, the land is not just a physical space but a living entity that holds stories, knowledge, and relationships. Mud play can serve as a bridge for children to explore and respect these ideas. Through mud play, educators can incorporate lessons about how natural resources are used sustainably and meaningfully by First Nations Peoples. For example, children can explore how mud has been traditionally used in art, construction, or healing practices.
Embedding mud play within a framework of connection to Country aligns with Outcome 2 of the EYLF, which emphasises that children are connected to and contribute to their world (Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment, 2022). By engaging in activities such as creating mud paintings inspired by traditional art forms or storytelling about the land, children develop respect and a sense of belonging to the natural world.
Educational and Developmental Benefits of Mud Play
Mud play offers wide-ranging educational and developmental benefits for children in their early years. It promotes creativity and imagination as children experiment and express themselves freely through moulding shapes, creating imaginary worlds, or collaborating on building projects. These activities encourage teamwork and problem-solving skills. I watched children playing in the mud pit for hours.
Mud play also supports physical development. Digging, scooping, and pouring strengthen children’s hand-eye coordination and muscles, while repetitive movements build fine and gross motor skills.
Social skills are enhanced as children often engage in collaborative mud play. Sharing tools, discussing ideas, and working together naturally build communication and cooperation.
Mud play also has emotional benefits. It can help children regulate their emotions as they enjoy the soothing, tactile experience of mud. Research suggests that contact with natural elements like mud can reduce stress and anxiety (Goel & Bhardawaj, 2014).
Finally, mud play enhances understanding of science and sustainability. Children observe how water and soil mix and explore basic science concepts. Educators can extend this learning by discussing the role of soil in ecosystems and the importance of caring for the Earth.
Practical Strategies for Early Childhood Educators
So … what should you do to integrate mud play into early learning settings? It doesn’t require extensive resources, but it does require planning and a positive mindset. Creating a dedicated mud play area equipped with tools like buckets, shovels, and moulds can encourage children to explore and create freely. Including natural materials such as sticks, leaves, and stones can further enhance their play experiences.
Storytelling is a powerful way to enrich mud play. Educators can share Aboriginal Dreaming stories or create imaginative tales about the natural world to inspire children and deepen their connection to Country.
Highlighting the cultural significance of mud play is another effective strategy. Introduce activities that reflect traditional uses of mud and soil by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. For instance, educators can show children how ochre is prepared and used in cultural practices.
Embrace the messiness of mud play and foster positive attitudes among children and parents. And to do it – try it yourself!
You can also provide overalls, aprons, gumboots and a designated clean-up area that can make mud play both manageable and enjoyable for everyone.
Linking mud play to EYLF outcomes ensures it becomes a meaningful part of the curriculum. For example, mud play supports children’s confidence as learners (Outcome 4) and helps them connect to and contribute to their world (Outcome 2).
Some educators and parents may worry about hygiene or the messiness of mud play. These concerns can be addressed through clear communication and effective strategies. Teaching children hygiene practices, such as washing their hands thoroughly after mud play, and ensuring the mud area is clean and safe can alleviate concerns.
Parental education is equally important. Sharing research-backed benefits of mud play, such as its positive impact on creativity, resilience, and even immunity (Goel & Bhardawaj, 2014), can help parents understand its value and support its inclusion in early learning settings.
I hope you are convinced! Mud play is more than just messy fun—it is a powerful tool for learning, development, and cultural connection. For early childhood educators, embracing mud play means providing children with rich sensory and nature play experiences that support the EYLF’s goals and foster connection to Country. By weaving mud play into their daily practice, educators can create meaningful, engaging, and culturally respectful learning environments.
References
Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment. (2022). Belonging, being, and becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (Version 2.0).
Goel, S., & Bhardawaj, A. (2014). A study of environmental and health benefits of mud and clay.
Menezes, A. M. (2022). Reflections on the art of muddy play: The mud kitchen.
Imagine you’re taking a leisurely walk through a beautiful forest. The sunlight filters through the leaves, the birds are singing, and the earthy scent of the forest fills the air. But wait, have you ever paused to appreciate the myriad of plants surrounding you? If not, you might be experiencing what’s known as “plant blindness.”
Plant blindness is like wearing nature’s invisibility cloak when it comes to plants. It’s the tendency to overlook these green wonders, often taking them for granted. But there’s more to this than meets the eye, or doesn’t meet the eye in this case!
Nature pedagogies, on the other hand, are like the antidote to plant blindness. This approach is all about connecting us to the incredible world of plants and fostering a deeper appreciation for the green giants that often go unnoticed. Furthermore, in nature pedagogies, plants are called “plant kin”, so like our green and wonderful relatives who we are entangled with.
HOW TO OVERCOME PLANT BLINDNESS?
Picture this: instead of a typical classroom lecture, you find yourself on a scavenger hunt to identify various types of plants. You’re collecting leaves, examining flowers, and learning about their unique characteristics. You’re not just reading about plants; you’re experiencing them.
Or imagine a workshop where you’re crafting plant-inspired art, learning how indigenous cultures use plants for medicine and food, or exploring the delicate balance of ecosystems through role-playing.
By actively engaging with plants and nature, you become more than a casual observer. You become a steward of the environment, understanding the crucial role plants play in sustaining life on Earth. You appreciate the beauty, the diversity, and the ecological importance of plants like never before. And of course, you are passing this love for plants to children in your classrooms!
So, next time you step into a garden, a park, or a forest, remember that the plants around you are more than just pretty green things; they’re an integral part of the intricate web of life on our planet. Embrace the opportunity to learn from and about them through nature pedagogies, and let’s all unmask the magic of plants together! 🌿🌻🌳
