How to Study Nature with Children

Studying nature has many great benefits for children.  Children will learn more about their world if they are out in it.  Nature can help your children learn to be more observant and teach them natural science.  Some studies have even shown that being out in nature can help children with ADHD and other focusing issues.  Whether you educate your child full time as a homeschooler or educate them after school, this article can help you put together a fun nature program for your children.

Step 1:  Get nature handbooks and guides.  These books help your child be able to identify creatures and plants while they are out in the wild.  Your child will have a more meaningful experience if know what they are looking at.

Step 2:  Make sure your child has the proper equipment.  Having a backpack to carry the equipment is a good idea.  Make sure it is comfortable and not to heavy for your child.  Some things to fill it with are a nature handbook, magnifying glass, binoculars, baggies (for collected items), a journal, and a first aid kits.

Step 3: Encourage your child to go out in nature in your neighborhood (backyard) or take your child to a nice nature park where your child and you can explore nature.  If you don't have any real good areas to go to, you may be able to keep a small critter as a pet to study and observe or grow a small habitat in a terrarium.

Step 4: Encourage your child to keep a nature journal.  Nature journals can be filled with drawings, observations, photos and poems.  Encourage your child to keep track of the time, location, and weather conditions in their journal.

Check out these nature study articles for more information:

Nature Study for Children

Nature Walks for Children

Nature Journal Pages

Backyard Nature Studies

How to Make a Nature Journal with Children

Warning- Make sure you put safety as a top priority!  Children do not always understand that nature can hurt them.  We, parents, have to be the ones to make sure they stay safe.

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