Nature study can be as simple as going outside and doing what comes naturally. My three daughters, for example, each have their own inclinations from playing in the mud to watching birds to climbing trees. My middle daughter has long collected and categorized tree needles, cones, rocks, and feathers. As children, my sister and I would lay on the steep slope of our front yard and watch the clouds.
Nature study doesn't have to be formalized into structured activities to be valuable or educational. However, a little planning can make for some exciting and memorable wintertime experiences.
Winter Nature Study Activities
The "headmistress and zookeeper" of The Common Room, a homeschooling blog, states: "A child who has splashed in a puddle has a richer understanding of a pond. A child who has climbed a tree has a broader grasp of what was involved when explorers first climbed Everest. A child who has collected stones or shells has a deeper grasp of what is involved in scientific classification later."
The headmistress recommends many winter nature study ideas. Here are just a few.
- catching snowflakes on frozen black felt (or an old mitten) for inspection by magnifying glass
- observing the sun and moon at various times each day
- observing the variety of clouds
- comparing particular outdoor scenes (or trees) from day to day or week to week
- identifying birds, listening to their calls, and verifying with eNature.com
Waldorf educator, Ancel Mitchell offers suggestions for how children can study nature with respect modeled on the ways we interact with nature.
Using the eNature Online Field Guide
How do animals prepare for winter? Take the eNature winter wildlife quiz to find out. My daughters make frequent use of the zip guide at eNature.com. It allows them to easily zero in on the most likely candidate when attempting to identify a local plant or animal they have seen and want to record in their nature journals.
Keeping a Nature Journal
Charlotte Mason, a nineteenth century educator popular among homeschoolers, recognized the importance of nature study. She, herself, spent many hours outside, observing and keeping a nature journal about local plant and animal life. She concluded her students' lessons early each day, leaving afternoons open for outdoor exploration, physical activity, and handicrafts. She also endorsed scouting and included it in her curriculum.
Suzanne Stewart claims that winter is "the perfect time," for creating winter nature journals, "especially if you are new to nature study and nature journaling." She suggests birds, constellations, weather, evergreens, and even "indoor nature," as subjects for observation and journaling.
Animal tracks often stand out in snow. Follow them. Sketch them. Imagine a story to go with the animal's trail. Where was it going? Why? Chris McLaughlin explains how to track animals as an adventure for the whole family.
A plain sketchbook makes a flexible nature journal. It provides space for notes, sketches, samples, and creativity.
Are you ready? Grab your journal, put on your warm clothes, and head outside. See what you can find.
You might also enjoy: How to Make 3D Snowflake Stars for Holiday Gift Wrap
Sara McGrath - Sara is a veteran homeschool mom of three, Usborne consultant, and the author of Unschooling: A Lifestyle of Learning.
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