I’ve been invited by Kelly George from Fearless Homeschool to discuss the study of nature at the Australian Homeschooling Summit 2020 and even though I’m excited to talk about my favourite subject with all you Aussie Homeschool Mums, I’m petrified of stepping out of my comfort zone. (Help)!!!
But I wanted to share with you that the study of nature is not as complex or demanding as it seems. (I promise)! And I’d like to encourage you to step outdoors and explore your area with confidence, and delight in the secrets of nature with your children right where you live. So I’m sharing a little about the ‘Embrace Nature Study Effortlessly’ workshop I’ll be hosting at the AHS.
Perhaps you like the idea of nature study but you’re not absolutely sure how to implement it into your full life, or maybe you’re not an ‘outdoors’ person and adventuring into the bush makes your knees wobble like a bowl of jelly. Did you know you can study nature from your couch or kitchen table? We’ll talk about how nature can be brought into your home to observe, and no, you don’t need to adopt a lizard even though that’s a great idea.
Are you wondering why nature study is trending? What is the purpose of it and how will it benefit you and the children? As children admire nature, a sense of wonder and awe is instilled which produces scientific literacy effortlessly and a stewardship for the world we live in.
I’ll also discuss how investigation has a major role in scientific thinking and how it cultivates curiosity while laying a foundation for formal scientific studies in the future.
I’d also like to encourage you, mum, to take adventures and observe nature for yourself, leaving the pressures of managing homes for a little reprieve to refresh, refocus and learn about nature, so that you can share and inspire your children to learn alongside you.
I’d like to share with you that a lack of knowledge for the natural world shouldn’t discourage you from exploring and taking that first step towards embracing nature study for your own education will enhance your own life and your children will either enthusiatically join you or curiously watch you.
I’ll also be talking about what nature study looks like for presechoolers, Primary and Secondary children, and what did nature study look like for Charlotte Mason students? Are we complicating the concept of nature study with Pinterest and Instagram ideas? You decide!
The nature notebook or nature journal leaves us cold and unmotivated to even try if we have a preconcieved idea about how it should look, and no, social media has not encouraged us unartistic mums to pick up a pencil or paint brush. But! There are more ways than one to nature journal and I’ll be sharing those ideas with you because I’d like you to enjoy capturing your nature excursions and discoveries to enhance and encourage your child’s nature journaling efforts too.
We’ll discuss the stumbling blocks that keep us from studying nature like an unispired child who may not be interested in the outdoors or perhaps living in the city leaves you uninspired or may you’re circumstances don’t allow you to leave your home…
I’ll be sharing a few of Charlott Mason’s ideas for exploring nature right in your home, backyard or neighbourhood and so much more. Please come along and join in the conversation by asking your questions and sharing your fabulous ideas to encourage others just trying to get started.
Missed this?
Don’t stress! The Australian Homeschooling Summit 2020 can be watched at leisure from you’re home with the recorded sessions or listened to in your car with the MP3 downloads.
Here’s why I think the AHS is worth your time:
You have access to 30 inspiring workshops from 22 experienced presenters. Prepare to be refreshed and inspired through the school year with these confidence boosting sessions.
I have a set of task cards to giveaway that will encourage you to slow down and press the reset button. Access them HERE.
The Australian Homeschooling Summit 2020 will always be available and you can always access the wonderful workshops when it’s more convenient to you and you need a little ‘pick-me-up’ time.
Find out what I’ve been up to lately in my backyard. Our tomatoes have surprised us with a bumper crop and it’s the first featured plant in my new backyard nature journal. Here’s a peek!
