Studying nature in the backyard is convenient and manageable in the busy seasons of life, and it’s the perfect place to investigate as we stay home and safe during the Covid 19 pandemeic.
Charlotte Mason urged her students to discover nature in thier backyards or nieghbourhoods before venturing further afield. So, as we self isolate and get outdoors for our daily dose of sunshine, take a closer look at nature in your area.
There is a secret world of living things in the backyard waiting to be discovered like the ant, bee, spider or bird.
Before exploring the backyard, caution the children not to touch or try to catch bees, wasps, centipedes, red back spiders and white-tailed spiders as they are poisonous.
The places to look for tiny creatures are:
- On walls, especially near outside lights.
- In the air flying about.
- In the garden beds, on top of the soil or under leaves. They take shelter in the cooler areas on hot days.
- Under pot plants.
- Under logs or firewood. Be cautious of snakes.
- Under rocks.
Explore the backyard for insects which:
- Crawl
- Caterpillars
- Slugs
- Millipedes
- Slaters
- Snails
- Termites
- Earwig
- Scurry
- Ants
- Termites
- Jump
- Crickets
- Grasshoppers
- Katydids
- Leaf Hoppers
- Fly
- Moths
- Butterflies
- Cicadas
- Dragonflies
- Wasps
- Bees
- Lacewings
- Mantids
- Stick Insects
- Flies
Other insects include:
- Beetles
- Christmas beetles
- Lady birds
- Stag beetles
- Longicorn beetles
- Weevils
- Soldier beetles
- Beetle grub
- Bugs
- Aphids on roses and fruit trees.
- Harlequin bugs.
You may also find:
- Spiders
- Worms
- Lizards
- Frogs
- Possums and
- Birds
As you can see, there are many creatures in the backyard to discover.
There are a few things you can do once you’ve observed an insect, bird or frog:
- Take photographs with your child to look at and discuss later. The photo may be pasted in their journals.
- A nature journal sketch may be made of the insects or animals observed depending on the age of the child.
- A bug may be collected and stored in a bottle with breathing holes and plant matter for observation. When the child is finished set the insect free.
- Start your own backyard field guide with the photos and information you compile with the children.
- Make lists of insects, birds and other creatures which visit your backyard. Make note of the time and date for future reference.
- Observe the seasons by recording the first time you see a ladybug, honey-eater or Christmas beetle in a Calendar of Firsts. Lynn Seddon from Raising Little Shoots explains how.
Some great resources for nature study in the backyard are the “Australian Guide to Garden Wildlife by Bob Winters, Backyard Buddies and the Australian Backyard Nature Study Guide for Autumn/Winter which will guide your investigations through this coming season as you dig into the secret habitat of leaf litter, discover backyard visitors like the praying-mantis and echidna.
Then explore rocks, soil ecosystems and the weather while observing migration and torpidity. Prepare for a flush of spring flowers by planting autumn bulbs and enjoy autumns fruits by baking apple pies.
What creatures have you found in your backyard? What other activities would you suggest? Do you know a great resource which would help us dig deeper into the study of garden wildlife?
Curl up on a couch and join the conversation about how we can embrace nature study effortlessly into our lifestyles at the Australian Homeschooling Summit 2020. It’s online at home, safe and private. So come along! I’d love to ‘meet’ you.
