Just a word about nature study with older students.
Honestly, as my children are getting older, they are having to dig deeper to find something they are interested in learning about but the desire is still there. I am feeling the need to spend even more time with them outdoors as they reach their teen and teen+ years, stepping up the observations and learning.
They are becoming more confident in skills like using binoculars, using a field guide, knowing what plants grow in what environments, knowing what berries are edible, identifying birds by their flight patterns, making connections.
Last week we took our regular trip to the pond. Normally they get right to the business of scooping up water and critters and talking in excited voices about what they are finding. But this time I noticed a different atmosphere, a feeling of “we’ve been here and done that” sort of attitude. I had to quickly remind myself that this is their normal reaction anymore to just about everything. I think they are not interested in something because they don’t appear to be too excited on the outside. But later on in the day when they are talking to their dad, they relate a the whole experience in a different light. Apparently the outside of a teenager doesn’t accurately reflect the inside at all times.
So if you have older children and they appear to not be interested at first, don’t give up. It may be that they just aren’t showing it outwardly but inside the experiences are deeply affecting them. Don’t give up. I am not going to stop offering time outdoors with my boys.
Not all of our time will be nature study but just time to spend exploring together and sharing experiences. Our two favorite outdoor activities right now are bike riding and hiking. It sort of evens out the field in my opinion. They can lead me along and find things to show me and I can follow along and see what their eyes see. It is a great way to get to know your teens better.
Thank you so much for this post!
Hi Barb,
Thanks for the great posts.We are getting our feet wet and have done a couple of Green hour challenges.I thought I would mention this to you since you emailed me last month with great tips on getting started.I know teens sometimes need something new to peak there interest so I thought I would ask if you had looked into geocaching.It is lots of fun and incorporates nature right into it.It is basically treasure hunting in the woods.We have done it once and my children loved it.They learn geography in the process and compass skills.Here is the link to check it out.It explains all about it.
http://www.geocaching.com
Thanks also for the CM carnival!
Jocelyn
Dear Jocelyn,
Yes, we have done some geocaching! It is a great family activity and we should put it back on our list of things to do soon.
Thanks for the great reminder.
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
A great encouragement and a needed reminder. Thank you
great post. I just found your blog and signed on forthe challenge with my three year old daughter, Sophie. We are looking forward to more formally doing what we have always done naturally. Blessings.
Thanks, Barb, for this post! I appreciate both of your blogs as science and music/art seem to fall by the wayside in our house/school. Your blogs put both of these areas in front of me and encourage me to work on them with the kids.
I especially appreciated this post because my younger two are boys. My older two are girls with the eldest being 10 and I have noticed quite a difference not only in individual personalities but also in boys vs. girls. I am enjoying discussions and more advanced work with my eldest and I wonder what it will look like when the boys are that age. Thanks for the reminder that teens don’t always look excited on the outside. I have a feeling that will be my experience in several years. 🙂
I am quite envious of your location and wish we were close enough to Yosemite to go for a day hike (often!).
Thanks for your blog! This is great…I have 4 that I will be homeschooling this coming year, and finding something interesting that all of them will learn is difficult…especially my high schooler!!! Keep up the good work!
great reminder! It really is funny how they “act” so disinterested, but yet when Mom isn’t watching they jump over barrels to do things.