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Natural Object Lessons

Animals· Nature Journaling· Nature Study· Plants· Resources

13 Jul

Charlotte Mason encouraged supplementing informal nature walks with incidental, natural object lessons which sharpen a child’s observational skills with gentle, guided discovery questions once in a while.

We noticed this wattle bird whilst out exploring. It’s chock a lock drew our attention to it sitting in a wattle tree. We wondered what kind of wattle bird he was and why he was making such a racket? Did our presence disturb him? We noticed the red wattles, yellow belly and grey colouring. We identified him later as the Red Wattle bird in a field guide.

A Natural Object Lesson is simply noticing an object of interest while on a nature walk and taking a closer look at it in its habitat or environment. It’s the moment we recognize an opportunity during an encounter with an interesting plant, inquisitive bird or a fluttering insect and we call the child/children over, ‘This is pretty awesome. Come and See!’

We also wondered what he was so interested in? Was it us or something else? He seemed inquisitive…. His red wattles were clearly seen now as was the zebra-like pattern running down his neck to the golden underside.

As the child/children notice the subject of so much interest, they’ll make their own relations with the object by asking questions and commenting on their observations. Once they’ve had time to make these connections, we can help them to take a closer look by pointing out one new aspect with a question to increase further attention and focus.

As we wandered along searching for fungi, unfurling fronds and orchids, we noticed another wattle bird high in the gums. The colouring on this wattle bird seemed a bit duller…where were the wattles, perhaps she was too far to see clearly? What did wattle birds eat? They must live in and around woodlands we observed.

We may point out shapes, patterns, colours, textures or take a step back to observe the environment or ecosystem the object is either living or growing in. We can compare the object with a similar one we noticed before or ask leading questions about the object’s behaviour.

Something caught her eye. We still didn’t see red wattles on this bird. She seemed content at the top of her perch, quietly observing…

Natural object lessons for young children would include enhancing their five senses by engaging them in sensory games like searching for seasonal colours, noticing bark textures and different gum tree leaves, nuts and buds.

The barking chock a lock was back and he was the object of her interest, while his unabated barking seemed to attract her attention. By now, we’d lost interest in hunting orchids (can you believe this) as we were wondering what this behaviour was all about.

The songs of birds or sounds in the area can be called out and scents can be explored as rain falls on dry ground, roses bloom and wattles flower. Activities like these, train their five senses to become engaged in the environment they’re exploring.

Oh! This bird was showing off his very impressive aerobatic skills to impressive the female who quietly observed him, sometimes interested and other times looking rather bored. It was entertaining!

Although, natural object lessons are better observed outdoors, they can be brought indoors when the weather is inclement to study and, perhaps, a sketch of the object will be drawn in a nature journal.

Trying to impress the lady with a dart. We wondered if this was their breeding season, and found out later that it had just begun. They raise one or two broods a year. Mother incubates and both parents will feed the juveniles.

Special projects such as raising butterflies, watching tadpoles grow into frogs or ants build farms provide wonderful opportunities for natural object lessons. Sometimes, natural object lessons are introduced intentionally through field guides, nature stories or documentaries.

The red wattle bird eventually perched in the gum as she continued to act disinterested in his attentions. We left them and moved on to search for those elusive orchids. This display ignited an interest in the honey eater , and once home, we searched for answers to our questions and confirmed a few of our assumptions.

The idea is that object lessons are supplemented every now and then, so we shouldn’t over do it and turn every nature walk into one or ask a string of random questions. Questions during guided discoveries are kept at a minimum and are asked with the intention to help the child/children focus on a new concept or aspect of the object.

‘Oh! Look!!!’
‘What is it mum?’
‘An orchid!’ Wow! So beautiful…such a lovely colour…’
‘and so tiny….’
‘Notice the leaf…’
‘It looks like a heart!’

Anything can lead to an object lesson, so look for those encounters in nature during walks or wild forest play. Be excited during discoveries and inquisitive minds will soon surround you.

Learn more about Natural Object Lessons:

Natural Object Lessons | A Podcast by Sonya Shafer

Object Lessons and Special Studies by Nicole from Sabbath Mood Homeschool

Our Australian Nature Study Guides are a great way to introduce object lessons to children as they include nature walk prompts and suggest guided discovery questions to encourage deeper observations.

There’s a Nature Study Guide for every season, so come along and explore with us here.

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About Marie

Homeschooling is a gentle amble for me since four of my five children have graduated. I share my joy with things beautiful, good and lovely with my grandchildren where I live contently with hubby in rural South Australia.

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We have outdoor expeditions to undertake and adventures to embark upon. We’ll explore the outdoors together, side by side, and uncover miraculous mysteries, and secrets. We’ll wander, and wonder in amazement as we become familiar with the Australian fauna and flora.

I desire to come alongside you in the muddle, making nature study the joy it’s meant to be.  Outdoor adventures will become a regular part of your life as you make connections to the natural world with a sense of awe.

Testimonials

Sally

We have really enjoyed the program this term. We have gotten outside more often and the children are definitely taking more notice of things when we are out. Having a place to share what we have done and seen has been an encouragement to keep it up. I sometimes felt like we could spend longer on some topics as they were so interesting but that is probably just my obsessive "we must cover everything now" problem. 
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:48:30+10:30
We have really enjoyed the program this term. We have gotten outside more often and the children are definitely taking more notice of things when we are out. Having a place to share what we have done and seen has been an encouragement to keep it up. I sometimes felt like we could spend longer on some topics as they were so interesting but that is probably just my obsessive "we must cover everything now" problem. 
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/sally/

Sarah

Absolutely love the activity books my whole family can learn together and it’s Australia based. Highly recommend
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:52:01+10:30
Absolutely love the activity books my whole family can learn together and it’s Australia based. Highly recommend
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/sarah/

Cheryl

We didn’t find out about the program until about half way through term, so we played catch up most of the time. I love how open ended the lessons are, but with enough structure to work well for those children needing such a program. We have been able to cover much of the required curriculum whilst enjoying the activities we love. Your program has been such a blessing to us, because we needed a change to our homeschooling lessons which would still cover curriculum, but would enable us to relax and enjoy “school” together. Thank you.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:50:47+10:30
We didn’t find out about the program until about half way through term, so we played catch up most of the time. I love how open ended the lessons are, but with enough structure to work well for those children needing such a program. We have been able to cover much of the required curriculum whilst enjoying the activities we love. Your program has been such a blessing to us, because we needed a change to our homeschooling lessons which would still cover curriculum, but would enable us to relax and enjoy “school” together. Thank you.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/cheryl/

Valerie

I totally enjoy using the Nature study guide. The children enjoy learning about the different animals and plants.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:51:39+10:30
I totally enjoy using the Nature study guide. The children enjoy learning about the different animals and plants.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/valerie/

Rachel

We began our homeschool journey this year keen to explore all that nature study entails. I had searched the web for weeks to research what we would use as our framework. I cannot describe the elation I felt when I came across an AUSTRALIAN nature study guide! Marie has done all the hard work and put together a wonderfully elaborate resource for all ages. You can dip your toe in or dive right into all the ideas and links. There’s so much here we could spend all week doing nature study, and often we do.
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:53:11+10:30
We began our homeschool journey this year keen to explore all that nature study entails. I had searched the web for weeks to research what we would use as our framework. I cannot describe the elation I felt when I came across an AUSTRALIAN nature study guide! Marie has done all the hard work and put together a wonderfully elaborate resource for all ages. You can dip your toe in or dive right into all the ideas and links. There’s so much here we could spend all week doing nature study, and often we do.
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/rachel/

Jessie

I looked high and low online for an Australian nature based curriculum and when I found Australian Nature study Guide on Instagram I was so excited to have finally found something that my family can relate to. My favourite thing about this guide is that Marie is so hands on and involved with her customers. I have never felt alone in the journey, she is there to guide and encourage us every step of the way in the Facebook group. Thanks Marie for welcoming us to your nature study family 🙂
Nature Study Australia
2018-05-25T15:52:36+10:30
I looked high and low online for an Australian nature based curriculum and when I found Australian Nature study Guide on Instagram I was so excited to have finally found something that my family can relate to. My favourite thing about this guide is that Marie is so hands on and involved with her customers. I have never felt alone in the journey, she is there to guide and encourage us every step of the way in the Facebook group. Thanks Marie for welcoming us to your nature study family 🙂
https://naturestudyaustralia.com.au/testimonials/jessie/
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