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Nourishing Our Children – Body, Soul & Spirit – Through Nature Study

Nature Study

23 Dec

In education we must comprehend man as a wholesome; and man in his totality is body, soul and spirit. (Steiner)

Some of the most incredible educators of the last century encouraged the idea of a threefold person and the importance of nurturing the body, soul and spirit of the individual child. Charlotte Mason, Rudolf Steiner and Maria Montessori all stressed that education was more than just improving the mind, the soul of the child also needed nourishment, as did the body.

Children must grow not only in the body but in the spirit… (Montessori)

The child is a body which grows, and a soul which develops,…(Montessori)

Whether you agree with or hold to their individual philosophies, the consenting view of this threefold nature has fascinated me and caused me to stop and evaluate the way I have chosen to educate my own children.

We begin by believing in the children as spiritual beings… ––intellectual, moral, spiritual––capable of receiving and constantly enjoying intuitions from the intimate converse of the Divine Spirit. (Mason)

You see as a Christian – I also believe in a threefold aspect to each created human being. God created us in His own image and asks us to love Him with all our heart, soul and mind. Believing this to be true, my focus of education has shifted to encompassing all three aspects of the person.

In the saying that Education is a life, the need of intellectual and moral as well as of physical sustenance is implied. (Mason)

Here is where the beauty of Nature Study lies. It is an amazingly way to truly nourish your children.

Body– to breathe deeply, walk, run jump and celebrate the wonder of outdoors. I think we would all agree that to have children away from the TVs, computers and books and head out into nature is essential for good health. Research shows that our bodies need the vitamin D we receive when we are outdoors. Our creator designed our bodies to need fresh air and sunshine.

Soul– Stop and look at the world through the eyes of a child. The awesome world around us can’t fail to nourish our souls. We may as well face it that we need the beauty around us as much as our children. Our Creator gave us a feast for our senses when He designed this world, there is so much to explore and wonder about. If you and your children are feeling frazzled, stressed and worn out, take a deep dose of the beauty around you and let God’s creation refresh you all.

Mind– Young children are by nature inquisitive. Wouldn’t it be amazing if they never lost that sense of amazement? Don’t worry if you can’t answer their question; just let them know what a great question to explore together. Anna Comstock in her Handbook of Natures-Study states “She should say frankly, “I do not know; let us see if we cannot together find out this mysterious thing. Maybe no one knows it as yet, and I wonder if you will discover it before I do.”

The chief charm of nature-study would be taken away if it did not lead us through the border-land of knowledge into the realm of the undiscovered. (Anna Comstock)

I think that the incredible beauty of nature study is that it gives us a glimpse of the Creator. It educates not just our children, but us as well. It refreshes our body, feeds our soul, and nourishes our mind.

So grab a copy of Marie’s study guide and enjoy the world with your children!

(Jo: Wife, Home-school mum and Homemaker)

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About Jo

Jo: Wife, Home-school Mum and Homemaker

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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

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/

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/

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/

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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