“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” Albert Einstein
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Why keep a nature journal?
Keeping a nature journal, is a way for your child to record their observations of nature. It allows them to develop their sense of wonder, and get a closer look at the amazing world around us. It can be unstructured or structured, child centric or guided, or a mix of all. Your child can record through writing, drawing, photographing, and/or glueing/taping.
When our family goes out on a nature hike, I often like to start out with a “journaling lens” that I will encourage my children to view nature through. Sometimes, I will set up a journal page for my son based on the lens. I also however, encourage my children to observe anything that grabs their attention. My son is 5, and I expect that after a while of practicing guided observations, he’ll be confident in creating journal pages on his own.
You do not have to journal while you are on the hike, but it’s a good idea to write a note, take a picture, or bring a found object (if possible) from the hike, back home.
Ideas for journaling:
-Art Work-sketch, water color, pastel, chalk, markers
-Photographs
-Found objects
-Pressed flowers
-Written observations
-Animal sightings
-Weather
-Plants
-Seasonal changes
-Animal tracks
-Smells
-Seeds
-Tree/Plant Identification
Nature Journal Supplies:
-Pencils
-Color Pencils
-Markers
-Children’s or Adult Binoculars
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