5 Tips for Nature Study: Charlotte Mason-Inspired Secular Homeschool
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in September 2021. It has been updated in AUGUST 2022 for comprehensiveness and accuracy.
What is nature study anyway?
For beginners, the concept of nature study for kids can seem confusing and intimidating, especially if your family isn't very outdoorsy. However, at its core, nature study is simply open-ended exploration and observation of nature.
Nature can be a powerful tool for learning. But studying nature shouldn't be complicated. The goal is to help children notice the world around them and follow their natural curiosity. So, how do you get started with nature study in the charlotte mason-inspired secular homeschool? Read on for my top 5 beginner’s tips for nature study. PSST - Scroll down for an awesome nature journal, free printable PDF!
Do you need to use a nature study curriculum?
First, a few important questions - Do you need a nature study curriculum? How formal does nature study need to be? It’s tricky to find a good nature study curriculum as a secular homeschooling family because many existing resources come from a religious worldview. Thankfully, you don’t NEED a nature study curriculum. All you need is to get out into nature with a local field guidebook and a keen eye. Nature study can be as formal or not as you desire. If you allow the observations you and your child make about the natural world to guide your studies, you will automatically be in touch with the seasons which can greatly reduce the need for planning your nature study.
Some families enjoy using a nature study handbook for ideas and information about natural phenomena, plants, and animals. Anna Comstock’s Handbook of Nature Study, is a classic and very popular resource, but it’s from the early 1900s so it can be a bit difficult to read. For a more modern resource, Julia Rothman’s Nature Anatomy provides excellent prompts for different topics of study, and the illustrations are gorgeous. Also, you don’t need to go far into the woods to study nature - even the earth beneath your feet is something worth studying! If your children enjoy playing in the mud, our Dirt: Soil Science Unit Studies are a great resource to learn more about soil.