Make Nature Study A Part of Your Homeschool

Homeschooling presents us with the unique opportunity to break free from the confines of traditional school work and take a different approach to our kids’ education.This is why most of us began homeschooling in the first place, to provide what traditional education cannot. One of my favorite ways to enhance our homeschool experience is nature study.

Getting outside and learning in nature isn’t just a trend; it’s a transformative approach that enriches the homeschool experience in many ways. In this post, we delve into the myriad benefits of outdoor learning and explore how nature study enhances homeschooling for both parents and children.

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What is Nature Study

Nature study is a main component of a Charlotte Mason education. Charlotte Mason recommended that children of all ages get outside at least one half day a week to explore and investigate nature. She believed that nature study would make science more interesting and should lay the groundwork for a scientific education. 

The Benefits of Outdoor Learning

Getting outdoors is about more than running out our kids’ boundless energy. But there is so much more to it than recess for the kids and a break for mom. Aside from cultivating a love for nature and the outdoors, which are reason enough to get outside to learn, nature study has many benefits you might not think of. Let’s explore four benefits that nature study brings to our homeschool.

Nature Study Enhances Focus and Concentration

The tranquility of nature has a way of eliminating distractions, allowing for unparalleled focus and concentration. Research indicates that exposure to natural environments can significantly enhance attention spans, making outdoor learning an invaluable tool for homeschooling parents. By incorporating weekly focused outdoor time into your curriculum, such as nature walks, gardening, or other outdoor adventures, you provide your children with an environment conducive to deep learning and discovery.

Nature Study Nurtures Creativity and Imagination

The vast expanse of the outdoors serves as a canvas for boundless creativity and imagination. From building forts in the woods to crafting nature-inspired art, outdoor learning encourages children to think outside the box and explore their innate creativity. By immersing themselves in the natural world, children develop a profound appreciation for its beauty and complexity, fueling their imagination and fostering a lifelong curiosity to explore things they have never seen before.

Nature Study Encourages Physical Health and Well-being

We live in a time of technology, which I utilize everyday and am grateful for. My household is definitely not screen-free and I’m okay with that. But, there is a need for balance in all things. 

In an age dominated by screens and sedentary lifestyles, outdoor learning offers a much-needed reprieve, promoting physical health and well-being. Whether it’s hiking through lush forests, collecting seashells on a sandy beach, or simply chasing butterflies in the backyard, outdoor activities provide children with ample opportunities to stay active and healthy. Moreover, exposure to natural light boosts mood and energy levels, making nature study beneficial for the whole child, body, mind, and spirit.

Nature study also serves as a great opportunity to get outside and get in some physical fitness too.

Nature Study Instills a Sense of Duty to Care for the Natural World

Through hands-on exploration and observation, children gain a deep understanding of ecosystems, biodiversity, and the interconnectedness of all living things. By nurturing a sense of stewardship for the natural world, we empower our children to become conscientious custodians of the world entrusted to us by the One who created it all, instilling values that will shape their actions for years to come.

How to Do Nature Study with Kids

Charlotte Mason’s educational philosophy strongly emphasizes spreading a feast of learning and letting our kids make their own connections. She referred to this as the science of connections. In other words, give your kids the opportunities for learning, but let them do the job of learning more than you do the job of telling.

I incorporate this view in my homeschool, especially with things like nature study that are more experiential by design. For those that need a little more guidance though, here are some of my best tips for how to do nature study.

1. Keep a Nature Journal

Nature journaling is a great way for kids to make connections and see how nature progresses and changes throughout the year. This doesn’t have to be anything elaborate, and I recommend using a fun notebook that your kids will want to take with them to explore outside.

2. Collect Specimens

This is one that I am very careful about recommending. Normally I say leave nature in nature, but kids love to collect things. In the spirit of not inhibiting their learning, I let my kids collect things that are on the ground. We don’t tear twigs off of trees, but if they are already on the ground we collect them. I think this goes a long way to teach stewardship of the earth.You can use little collection containers or even tape the specimens into your nature journals.

3. Use Field Guides

Providing resources like field guides can help our children make connections and satisfy their curiosity. My youngest son loves this bird field guide and often goes on walks on our neighborhood trail trying to identify birds.

4. Start a Nature Study Meetup

We have been part of a few different nature groups over the years. My kids have enjoyed exploring nature with friends and it checks the box for social time for mom too.

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