Nature Study, Time Outdoors and Taking the Pressure off of Ourselves and our Children
Episode 44: Nature Study, Time Outdoors and Taking the Pressure off of Ourselves and our Children
We dive into a deep exploration of different perspectives about nature study and outdoor time and where those things are both similar and different. We discuss what this looks like at different ages, including the teenage years, and also bring the temperature down a bit as far as parental pressure to “get kids outside” and/or doing formal nature study. We’d love you to join us for a listen!
We Discuss:
The shift in exploring nature and being outside across our children’s different ages (more on this in the later parts of the episode)
Being outside in an unintentional, happenstance way
Nature study versus outdoor time and how they are sometimes two different things
Sensory experiences that happen naturally from being outside
Exploration- being outside and talking about what we come across
Using pieces of resources and seeing where they lead
Partnering experiences with books from the library
Not feeling pressure to go further or more specifically than readiness smoothly allows
Nature study as being scattered across experiences
Noticing how so many things and subjects tie into nature – art, biology, poetry
How learning is connected to what’s relevant in our life at the time
Current learning we might do as adults that connects back to our childhood and sparks emotional or nostalgic memories
How an interest in different aspects of the natural world often arrives or resurfaces in adulthood
Why nature study might be popular in homeschooling
Taking the pressure off of ourselves from feeling we need to load facts into children’s minds
How the time we have with our kids as homeschool families allows for questions as we go
Learning science and nature from children’s television and games
Being out with open ended days and letting curiosity lead
Spending time alone outside with exploration and imaginary play
How homeschooling often allows for more time outside together with adults for organic questions and common experiences to arise
Driving as another opportunity for noticing nature together
The “knowing” we develop in our bodies from being in different temperatures and activities that we wouldn’t necessarily be tested on, but know on a practical level
Exploration versus study – exploring as it comes up versus intentionally studying, and that there is value in both
Studying nature for the purpose of artistic value and aesthetics rather than simply science
Simply appreciating a beautiful moment for what it is
How Charlotte Mason’s intention in her focus with nature was likely to appreciate and take note, but somewhere along the line, homeschool families can put pressure on themselves
That making nature study too structured can make it more limiting that it needs to be
The many beautiful nature resources and curricula – if we or some of our kids are drawn to them, we can pull out whatever pieces, but be willing to let them go and not place more value on the finished outcome than the process and interest itself
That when we move away from following a curriculum more strictly, it opens up how much much there is to actually learn in the world, because our kids and the world itself will present things that we wouldn’t have imagined ourselves … we begin to realize how much there is beyond what any curriculum developer could come up with
How the idea and beauty of a nature resource or journal can sometimes be greater than its actual function, depending on the child
That nature journals can be helpful ways to record things or help with other skills, such as sketching, handwriting or keeping track of things, but they don’t necessarily serve the same purpose for each person
How loosening our grip on the outcome can help us appreciate the wisdom and passion that many home ed curriculum developers put into their products
Strewing without attachment
Ways of bringing nature inside and/or appreciating and learning about nature from indoors
Materials – uses for various things from microscopes and outdoor knives to tarps
The fun role that objects play for kids in nature exploration simply by having them along, eg, bringing a magnifying glass or compass, carrying a stick
The ways that the average person uses the outdoors and how we are often outside for a purpose: a sport, exercise, yard work, fresh air, etc, but typically don’t record it unless we need to for a particular job or purpose
The changing ways that kids play and explore as they get older
That we can underestimate the value of even a few minutes outside to get in and out of cars, our body adjusting to slightly different temperatures, the things we notice as we’re driving by, etc … outside doesn’t have to look one way
The cultural pitting of screens/screentime against outdoor time and that the pendulum seems a bit stuck right now
Acknowledging sensory differences among kids and ourselves
That shorter bursts of time or outings like grabbing ice cream out and finding a pretty spot to sit can be valuable
One to one times with kids outside and all the connection and flexibility that it offers
Clarifying for ourselves what the purpose is of particular outings or activities that we are asking our children to do
That something can be beneficial, but we still can’t control whether or not our children does it or enjoys it
Risky play
That the idea of nature study is an interesting one because the child who wants to be outdoors is not always the same child who wants to sit down notebook about it
Knowing about nature is not always the same thing as being in nature and vice versa
The value of documentaries and online learning about nature and science
Being aware of how we lean in and then also need to step back from our children’s ideas and interests
How in a well-trusted relationship with our kids, there is room for suggestion and asking about where they are at with interests and projects
Enjoying the invitation to try something new without feeling we/they have to accept
The value of exposing kids to a variety of things and planting seeds that they can then pull from as needed or wanted throughout the years
Narrating and reflecting on our own nature interests with our kids
Older kids and their self-directed interests in nature and the outdoors
Taking the pressure off of ourselves that we need to be “the giver of all information”
Resources:
Home Ed Resources – Nature Study, Taking a Kinder Path
Homeschooling Philosophies, and Supporting Interests: Nature Study the Natural Way, Ever Learning
The Rich Experience of Unschooling Science, Episode #30, Virtual Kitchen Table Podcast