Nature Study - The KISS Method

Nature study was always something that I wanted to do in our homeschool, but I could never make it work the way I envisioned. It was too much work, too much time, or we just didn't have anywhere to go.

I was making it too hard. I needed to remember KISS - Keep it Super Simple. Once I stopped looking at all the different ways to do it and looked at what we needed out of nature study, I found a method that works!

K - KIT

Start with a nature study kit. You only need a few things, but you can add in more if you have them. Try to keep them together so they are easy to grab when you head out into nature. 

• Nature Journal - You have options! Sketchbook, preprinted nature journal, a homemade journal using free printables {try here or here or here} or even just blank paper you staple together. If you make your own (either printed or just blank) I suggest you also include a clip board for easier use!
• Pencil - It doesn't have to be fancy. Unless you want it to be. 
• Colored Pencils - Sure, you can do other mediums but colored pencils are simple to use and transport.
• Optional Items - Measuring Tape, Binoculars, Pocket Microscope, Field Guides 

I - INVESTIGATE

Get outside. Your backyard, a park, public gardens, a forest or a farm. It doesn't have to be magical, the process of nature study will make it magical! Try to get your child to be quiet and use their senses. What do they hear? Feel? See? Smell? Is there something they can taste? We've found when we go to the same place every time, we can investigate deeper because we already know the basics.

S- STUDY

After your child finds something that catches their eye (or nose or ears or fingers) take a longer look. Have them name it. Describe it. Ask questions about it. Just let your child observe. Spend as much or as little time as your child wants. It's OK if your 4 year old touches a leaf and moves on. It's also OK if your 10 year old wants to watch the bees for 30 minutes. You don't need to fill the time with a lot of talk and lecture about their chosen fascination. That's what the nature study is for to learn by observing and asking questions when needed.

S - SKETCH

After your child has observed for a while, have them sketch. It needs to be as accurate as their abilities allow them. No fantasy drawings. Other than that, let them draw what interests them. Is it one leaf or the whole tree? A cloud shape in the sky or the ripple of the water?  They can label things, or not. Write descriptions and sizes, or not. Let the child have control over their journal. It is their journal after all! If your child is too young to draw/write well, teach them how to do leaf and bark rubbings and press flowers in their journals. Let them take pictures to print and add to their journal.

Giant Japanese Butterbur - One of Bug's chosen plants to watch!

Nature study is about learning about God's creation and through it learning about Him. It doesn't need to be stressful or a lot of time and energy. Go as often as you can manage. We've made it a priority this year and get out for a couple hours every week. We even join another family to make it extra fun!

How do you work Nature Study into your routine?

If you are already getting outside for Nature Study, check out some additional resources on my Pinterest board - Nature Love!

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