Charlotte Mason did not consider nature study to be optional. This podcast is an interview with a mother with eight children who took Mason’s words to heart and exerted the effort to make it happen. Listen to her experiences and practical hints for being a successful mother of young naturalists.
Listen Now:
“Never be within doors when you can rightly be without.” (Vol. 1, p. 42)
“I venture to suggest, not what is practicable in any household, but what seems to me absolutely best for the children; and that, in the faith that mothers work wonders once they are convinced that wonders are demanded of them.” (Vol. 1, p. 44)
“We were all meant to be naturalists, each in his degree, and it is inexcusable to live in a world so full of the marvels of plant and animal life and to care for none of these things.” (Vol. 1, p. 61)
Natural History Clubs from The Parents’ Review via the Charlotte Mason Digital Collection:
“Our P.N.E.U. Natural History Club”
“P.N.E.U. Natural History Clubs”
Thank you so much for sharing, Cheri and Nicole! It's always so lovely to hear what others are doing. It really puts "feet" to the philosophy, answering how it looks walking it out practically. 🙂
Cheri is such an encouragement, showing that the nature study lifestyle is totally doable. Thank you for mentioning and linking Grace to Build Retreat!
Thank you for this podcast (all episodes!). I have a question about locations for nature study, aside from our own yards.
Do you avoid locations with playground structures, or try to have a time away from those to focus on nature?
My children are 7, 5, 2. They love playing on playgrounds, and my 5yo in particular is more resistant to being away from the swings/slide/whatever.
Example: Sunday afternoon was beautiful here, so our family went to a town park that has a trail through the woods. It was windy, and it caused the trees to make some loud sounds. A branch broke loose and fell near my husband and daughter, and that was the end of our trail outing. Eep! It wasn't big enough to cause more than a bruise/scrape (I think?) but she was already really crabby about walking the trails vs. being on the nearby playground. The falling branch terrified her. She's now coming into future outdoor time with increased trepidation.
Do we compromise somehow with playground time? If I say, ok we can spend X time on the playground, and then we are going to head out onto some trails, I don't know if that will work. Or the reverse, trails and then playground (when are we going to go to the playground, etc. Ugh.)
There are some parks in my vicinity that do not have playgrounds at all. Perhaps going there for a time, to really get back out in nature (we have been indoors much of this winter, sorry!) and maybe that will help her have an interest in exploring?
Cheri mentioned they enjoyed going to a state park. Do you typically go to state parks, county parks, or things of that sort?
Last, I do feel a bit vulnerable when I'm out in the woods alone with my children. I carry some personal protection items in that regard (I'm thinking wild animals, aggressive dogs off leash, and of course the boogeyman). Do you link up with other moms for nature outings for safety purposes?
First, I applaud your efforts to get out of the house and out into nature. Nature is everywhere around us–cultured beds outside buildings right in town, in flower boxes, along roadsides, in zoos and aquariums. I think you have already discovered that your children would prefer playground to hiking. Ideally, it is nice to take them somewhere where they can romp and play for awhile first, but maybe avoiding an actual playground is a good idea for now when you are building their interest in nature–as long as they have other times when that is a fun place to play. I understand your apprehension about being away from it all, alone with your children, but wonder if they are picking up on your anxiety a bit; the falling branch is frightening, but accidents happen within doors too. In reality, you are probably safer out in nature than on the city street. It's probably a good idea to have a phone that gets a signal along, just in case you twist an ankle or something. Going with another family of similar inclination is a good idea too, though sometimes a crowd scares away the wildlife.
I think the best solution for you is to stick with it; keep going out; keep trying different locations. Surely there is a little stream or pond somewhere nearby, a friend who knows someone with some acreage or a farm. Honestly, I now live in town, a mile from a major interstate, and we have birds in the bird feeder, deer and squirrels in the yard, many trees and plants right around our home and to observe as we stroll through the neighborhood. The more you all go out together, the more positive experiences you can have, and the more you will forget your difficulties and begin to appreciate the beauty. Sometimes just sitting on a blanket where it's quiet, listening, watching, paying attention to the clouds, the sounds, the colors, the tiny things busy in the grass around you…it's not always necessary to even hike or walk through the woods. "Be still and know that I am God." Every hour outdoors with your children is a gift they cannot purchase; every day is a gift you can never get back if you waste it inside. Keep up your efforts.
-Liz
Kacie, I might also add that if you read some nature lore to your children, (as we talked about in the last episode,) they may start to think of nature walks as an adventure. For instance, if you read Among the Pond People by Clara Dillingham Pierson, and then take a walk near a pond, they may become excited about the searching out some of their new "acquaintances".
-Nicole
Thank you, Liz and Nicole! When I heard your episode on nature lore, it really did make a lot of sense on how beautiful stories can spark a new interest and give a child ideas which they can then take with them to the outdoors. We are enjoying the book "Outdoor Secrets" right now, and it is opening my eyes to the possibilities of good nature lore.
We will stick with it: exploring our own yard, filling our bird feeders, planting flowers, digging in the dirt. We will join a nature-minded friend who happens to have a lovely few acres and is generous in sharing her space with her friends. We will visit a variety of parks in our area.
I think my anxiety is probably sensed by at least one of my children, and it's something I should work on myself. I have had enough negative encounters in my growing up that it has affected me, and now that I have more children than I have hands it just increases that vulnerable feeling.
Thank you both for your encouragement and ideas. I appreciate it!
I live in the South where it gets extremely hot & humid in the summer. Any suggestions for those long stretches (most of July & August) where it is almost unthinkable to spend time outside?
I would really like to be more than a 'fair weather friend' to nature study.
Morgan,
First thing in the morning is a lovely time–sunrise, birds awake, a little freshness in the air, breakfast in the woods or fields–such an adventure to children and a wonderful way to start the day. Or, later in the morning–take lots of water and stay out for a shorter time than in winter. Firefly finding and cricket listening are great after dark adventures.
This was very encouraging. We truly need to streamline and make this education philosophy a way of life. Thank you for sharing your tips and ideas as well for the gentle reminders of Charlotte Mason’s quotes.
I appreciate this!
Tracy, thank you for the feedback. We all need encouragement from the stories of others and how they are making this education work in their family.