In the below video, you will see how children prepare to visit our Narragunnawali Garden to see ducklings that are three days old.
The first thing we do upon entering the garden is to sit as a group and greet each other with Yumalundi, which is a Ngoonawal greeting. Then we do our Acknowledgement of Country ritual, which sets up the expectations of the children that we are there to look after the land, the animals, the plants and ourselves.
At Woden Valley ELC, we promote mixed-age groups to encourage peer-to-peer learning and role modelling. It is part of our Quality Improvement plan for this to happen naturally and spontaneously, as we see children as a whole.
We also establish that the animals are our teachers and co-workers and treat them respectfully. By observing the ducklings, we establish trust with the mummy duck and allow them to feel safe in their new world and around multiple people.
(EYLF 2.1 Children develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities and an understanding of the reciprocal rights and responsibilities necessary for active community participation.)
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