Nature Study with a Toddler or Preschooler
One theme Melissa and I have noticed several times in questions is whether or not our units are appropriate for the younger crowd five and under. While 1st through 8th graders were our target audience, we didn’t leave out the little ones! (Or the bigger ones for that matter.)
In each unit, there’s a section written specifically for little ones with ideas for sensory skills, motor skills, broadening vocabulary skills and several hands-on explorations. There are also fun crafts, cooking and dramatic play ideas for little hands.
At the same time, most of the outdoor activities in the main section of the units can be used with young children, too!
Here are a few examples of how my two-year-old son has tagged along during our recent nature studies. And maybe I shouldn’t even use the words “tagged along” because he was learning just as much as us on his own level!
He's probably more serious about finding things in nature than his big brother and sister!
Throwing and hitting help him learn about the world around him.
We touch a lot of things and I use descriptive words.
I never force nature on him, I let him make his own discoveries - and his finds are often better than mine!
I always let him take part in what the big kids are doing if he wants.
God reveals Himself through nature to our little ones as well as us! Don’t leave little guys and gals out!
~Cindy
This is beautiful! You are so right when you say that he is learning too… He is doing his best learning! Charlotte Mason thought it so important for young ones to be outdoors observing and practicing attention. I have always included my youngest with everything the older two do.
Love it! You’re exactly right — the littlest ones are not too young to start enjoying the outdoors and learning about God’s creation!
I love this; it’s so true. I do nature study with my only son, who is still a toddler, and we’ve done many of the things you have pictured here! He even uses the magnifying glass the same way. Those big-face pictures are the best.