To prepare for our “Life Science” year at Regina Mater, we are inviting all families to incorporate “Nature Studies” into their summer adventures.
Maria Montessori and Charlotte Mason (and probably many other education reformers) include nature studies at the heart of their methods, most likely as a counter to the mechanistic approaches to science dominant in modern schools. Nature studies present the world as “whole and organic,” inspiring wonder and awe, rather than abstract concepts or lifeless dissections. Josef Ratzinger, in a much later work, cited the acute need to “place modern man in the way of nature” in order to form sound personalities. Nature studies are a humble means of attaining such development.
Putting aside the lofty pedagogy for a moment, let’s talk nuts and bolts. How does one conduct nature studies in the first place? It’s as simple as going out into nature and recording what you see.
Nature Walks. Maria Montessori encouraged daily “nature walks” for children, specifically NOT for exercise! These were to be slow ambles in the outdoors, where parents let their children direct their wonder toward whatever captures their attention. In reality, taking hikes together requires some ambition, but taking time to slow down to toddler speed at some points is worth it. For many of us, simply getting on the trail is a major accomplishment, and that’s a great place to begin. Summer vacation also tends to push us outside, which is another great opportunity to start observing the natural world.
Nature Journaling. Start with the analog method: a spiral sketchbook and watercolors. Keep it simple. Grab your beginner supplies from Walmart or Dollar Tree or your junk drawer and scale up from there. You’ll need the notebook, watercolor set, paper towels, a vial of water, and a brush. On your nature walk, collect a specimen only if it is appropriate (i.e., from your own property). Otherwise, pause at an interesting object and open up your journal. Use your paints to recreate a similar size picture of your specimen using the “dry brush” technique. That is, blot your brush on the paper towel AFTER you dip it in the color to make it more like a pencil. (But avoid drawing with a pencil. Keep it “painterly.”) This technique can be done with preschoolers up to adults. When you get home, mark the date and place, along with the Latin and common name of the specimen. This is the harder part, of course. The Internet makes this task a little easier, especially through agricultural extension websites. The Audubon Society field guides are nice to have as well.
Photo Journaling. We all love our digital photos, and for some kids it’s a fantastic way to record their adventures. Try the notebook before the camera. We all know why!
Reading. Narrative or “living” books about science are a wonderful part of nature studies. Younger children may enjoy picture books about the place you are visiting: the woods, the shore, etc. Older children and adults can read classic conservationist memoirs or other personal accounts. Science podcasts are another fun way to engage learning about the outdoors.
Nature journaling not only builds the muscles of concentration but also compiles a beautiful collection totally original to the author. We can’t wait to see what the children do with it! Happy trails.