10 Nature Study Ideas to Get Our Kids Outside More
There’s a movement right now to get our kids outdoors as much as possible—or at least, more than the time they spend on gadgets! I’m all for it! Research now confirms Charlotte Mason’s strong belief in the value of plenty of physical movement out in the sun and fresh air. And do you know that of all the things we do in the Charlotte Mason method, nature study is considered one of the most important foundations for developing the sense of beauty?
That’s one reason why we recommend maximum outdoor time for children, even before they start academic lessons at 6 years old. And it’s also the reason why, even when our preschoolers are not doing formal schoolwork, we still consider them to be getting “educated” when they spend time in nature!
Nature Study and the Sense of Beauty
To inspire you to be more intentional at getting our kids outdoors, take a look at what Miss Mason says about nature study for young children:
It would be well if we all persons in authority, parents and all who act for parents, could make up our minds that there is no sort of knowledge to be got in these early years so valuable to children as that which they get for themselves of the world they live in. Let them once get touch with Nature, and a habit is formed which will be a source of delight through life. We were all meant to be naturalists, each in his degree, and it is inexcusable to live in a world so full of the marvels of plant and animal life and to care for none of these things. (vol 1 Page 62)
Would you say that you consider nature study to be the most valuable lesson for children in the early years? Admittedly, many times, we are tempted to think that the truly valuable lessons come from books. After all, we value living books, especially in the CM method. But we hope this post will help establish nature study in its rightful place, too!
What does the sense of beauty that comes from contact with nature look like? Here is how Miss Mason describes it:
The Sense of Beauty comes from Early Contact with Nature.––There is no end to the store of common information, got in such a way that it will never be forgotten, with which an intelligent child may furnish himself before he begins his school career. The boy who can tell you off-hand where to find each of the half-dozen most graceful birches, the three or four finest ash trees in the neighbourhood of his home, has chances in a life a dozen to one compared with the lower, slower intelligence that does not know an elm from an oak––not merely chances of success, but chances of a larger, happier life, for it is curious how certain feelings are linked with the mere observation of Nature and natural objects. (Vol 1, page 68)
It’s interesting that Miss Mason’s List of Attainments for Children by Age 6 includes being able to identify a number of trees, flowers, insects, and animals! In fact, one definition of intelligence is being able to distinguish between specific items within a certain class. Nature study definitely meets that criteria, when children become able to distinguish different trees from one another simply by looking at their leaves!
Then she goes on to write:
“The aesthetic sense of the beautiful,” says Dr. Carpenter, “of the sublime, of the harmonious, seems in its most elementary form to connect itself immediately with the Perceptions which arise of out of the contact of our minds with external Nature”; while he quotes Dr. Morrell, who says still more forcibly that “All those who have shown a remarkable appreciation of form and beauty date their first impressions from a period lying far behind the existence of definite ideas or verbal instruction.” (Vol 1, page 68)
Would you like to inculcate a sense of beauty in your children? I do! That’s why we want to maximize their exposure to nature!
Ideas for Increasing Our Children’s Nature Time
Some of us live in the city, which may make it a bit more challenging to do as much nature study. But where there’s a will, there’s a way! Here are some nature study ideas you can apply right now:
1. Add a birdfeeder in your yard.
By setting up a birdfeeder, you’re inviting nature to come near you! That way, even when your kids don’t necessarily go out, they can still observe the birds through the window. This can be a good introduction to nature study for children who aren’t used to it yet.
2. Plant flowers.
Having plants to take care of helps little children get to love nature more. It can be anything, but we suggest planting flowers because it also has an added perk of inviting butterflies and moths!
3. Schedule a hike with friends.
One of the best advice I’ve gotten to encourage us to hike more is to schedule hiking trips with at least two friends: if one of them bails out, you still have your commitment to the other one! It’s easier to continue with plans when you know you’ve promised another person, compared to just going out when you “feel” like it!
4. Bring your nature study stuff on family trips.
Consider taking your nature journal and art supplies along on family trips, especially those that take place in nature, such as camping or a trip to the beach. Then, take some time to draw on your own journals and encourage the kids to do the same. I’ve found that they’re more likely to enjoy nature journaling when they see mommy do it.
5. Keep a pet (or pets).
Pets are some of the greatest ways to get kids interested in nature. If your kids are young, you can start with animals that are relatively easy to take care of, such as rabbits or fish in a bowl. Older kids can take responsibility for a hamster, love birds, a cat, or a dog.
6. Keep farm animals if possible.
If you have space (and if your neighborhood allows you!), consider keeping some farm animals, like chickens. For small spaces, quail can be a good choice. This gives children a first-hand view of how animals behave, and if you choose animals that lay eggs, you get a bonus, too!
7. Keep a caterpillar.
One of the most exciting things that children can observe in nature is the way the caterpillar develops into a cocoon and then into a moth or butterfly! If you can find a caterpillar on one of your plants, consider bringing it inside, in a jar where you can observe it. With your children, try to discover (or research) what type of food it eats—a good clue is to see what plant you found it on.
8. Give your children gifts that encourage nature play.
When birthdays or Christmas rolls around, consider giving your children gifts that help encourage outdoor time. Some ideas that quickly come to mind include shovels, trowels, binoculars, and magnifying lenses. If you need more ideas, check out our post on Gift Ideas to Encourage Outdoor Time.
9. Give them time in nature without lecturing!
One of the temptations we face as homeschool moms is the constant lecture! *wink. Charlotte Mason recommends giving our children time to form their own relations with their surroundings, without our constant monologue. But once in a while, we can point out things of interest, to help them improve their observation skills.
You can learn more through this classic reference guide, Anna Botsford Comstock’s Handbook of Nature Study.
10. Invest in weather-proof clothing.
Perhaps one of the biggest deterrents for us as mothers to let our children out of the house is when it’s raining or snowing. Apparently, Charlotte Mason did not let the weather dictate whether the children get to go out; instead, we can choose to invest in protective clothing that can give us peace of mind for letting the kids out even when it’s cold.
For hotter climates, this might mean investing in floppy hats, sunblock, and sunshades!
Getting Our Child in Contact with Nature
As much as it is within your power, we encourage you to be more intentional at getting our children out in nature, observing and studying everything they see. Thanks to Miss Mason’s strong emphasis on nature study, we also want to give our children the best foundations in scientific learning possible!
