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Nature Journaling with Kids
Nature journaling with kids can be frustrating for both you and the children if you don't have a plan. When I have taken children on scavenger hunts or nature observing, I've found it pays to be prepared. Decide before hand what you want to focus on. Do you want to focus on signs of the season? Or on certain animals or concepts? The younger they are, the more guidance they will need. My Nature Journal: A Personal Nature Guide for Young People It might be good to wait until you are finished exploring to record the child's observations. Perhaps, waiting until you are back inside or where it will be comfortable to draw. For younger children it might be most helpful to give them a sheet of blank paper. Older children may want o use a book. The loose sheets can be put into a loose -leaf binder or even slipped into a scrapbook. Be sure to write the child's name and the date on the page if they can't write it themselves. If they are new to this activity the child may need a prompt to get started. Ask questions, such as... What do you want to write or draw to remember? What did we see to day? What was your favorite animal or plant? What did you see that was really amazing? What do you want to tell your friends about? If you are sometimes at a loss as to what to do with children, there are many books in the public library about nature study topics for children. If nature journaling with kids turns out to be a fun activity for all, you want to make it a more systematic study of nature there are several resources you can use to jump start your ideas. Anna Botsford Comstock wrote a big book that has become the standard work for nature study with children, Handbook of Nature Study Clare Walker Leslie's, Keeping a Nature Journal: Discover a Whole New Way of Seeing the World Around You Nature journaling with kids can be a fun family activity. A nature journal is something people tend to cherish for years. It is a book that you made yourself. In twenty years your child will probably like to see what they drew when they were 5 or even 10. Helping a child to create a nature journal is as gift that they will cherish, and a family heirloom to pass on.
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, is a book which guides children and their adults in nature study. There are plenty of ideas and prompts of what to explore. There are games, poetry ideas and information about animals and plants.
. I have my worn, ragged copy that I enjoy using. Her approach was to know first and best the living beings around us. Her book gives background information for each topic (for the adults to know something) then questions to ask the child. It is good for home schoolers or other parents to help children respect the natural world.
, has a sections on working with school groups, adults and children . Ms. Leslie has spent her career teaching children and adults to nature journal.
