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Nature Study in the Home of Tracey

Nature Journaling· Nature Study· Seasons· Summer· Uncategorized

27 Jan

We’re visiting four home educators to observe how nature is studied within their homes. Today, we visit Tracey from Wild Heart Homeschool in WA.

My husband and I have always loved being out in nature. As often as we could (before children), we’d pack up the 4wd Ute and set off on a nature expedition. We’d spend days, sometimes weeks exploring our homeland’s coast, forests and caves, marveling at the diverse flora and fauna. One time we ended up across the border at The Great Australian Bight! What an adventure!

It wasn’t until our first born child was a toddler that I started to recognize the benefits of nature play.

If he was in a cranky mood, I’d take him into the garden and his energy would shift completely. I saw how curious he was about the natural world and how it enlivened his senses. The sensation of sand through his fingers, the sound of leaves crunching between his chubby little fingers (or teeth!), the smell of roses, the way the petals could be plucked, squished and then thrown into the air with sheer delight, the sweet taste of fresh fruit picked from the tree. It was in these moments of  simplistic joy that I realised that nature would be an essential ingredient in his development.

 

As my boy grew, his love of nature deepened and we went on many more adventures. He’s a real wild, outdoorsy, adventurous boy and his need for freedom instigated our homeschooling journey. I love that homeschooling allows us to both spend more time studying nature. We enjoy recording our experiences and discoveries in a nature journal and I’ve found that in keeping my own journal,  my son is inspired to record his findings too.

 

Our days typically include time in the garden, connecting with our animals and plants – I like to involve my children in all aspects of gardening. We usually go on a bush walk too. I love to be really present on our walks. Stopping to look deeply at flowers, seeing what’s underneath the bark of a tree, listening to the bird calls.

Once we’re home, we add our favourite findings to our nature table. Some of our favourites pieces include red and black cockatoo feathers, pine cones, pressed flowers, purple gum leaves, cicada shells, snake skin, sea sponges, abalone shells and a paper wasp nest. Our dead insect and spider collection is growing too! I quite like having a collection of curiosities as they spark interest, questions and a respect for the diversity of nature.

Underlying all of our schooling is a deep respect for the natural world – we are all connected – and I believe that connecting children with nature is the first step in helping them understand how precious our living world really is. In the words of Roald Dahl, “Somewhere within all of us is the power to change the world,” and this is one of the ways that I know how.

 

 

Hi! I’m Tracey, mama to two little wild hearts. I’ve been homeschooling my eldest for the past year, and as a family, we are completely inspired by the natural world!

You can follow Tracey’s journey at Wild Heart Homeschool and Instagram @runwildheart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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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Hey Explorer

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

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/
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