We will meet this Friday, February 27 for nature study. Be sure to bring a nature journal for yourself and each child, water colors with a fine brush, or colored pencils. If you have any field guides please bring those to share.
This term, each family will go on a nature walk together. Allow the children to bring one item that interests them back to the tables. We will use the field guides to identify the items that are brought back. We will take a few minutes to make close observation about our objects before we begin to dry brush paint them. If you are new, we will explain more about the dry brush technique tomorrow.
A main goal in nature study is to allow the child to develop observation and attentiveness skills. In order to do this, as parents we want to say as little as possible. Allow the child to make the observations and connections on their own.
Another goal is for this to be an area in which the child can pursue their own interest. They bring back an item that interests them. We use the guides to identify and learn about this new interest. They may even wish to learn more at home. After observing the item they will paint how it looks to them. Again, as parents we want to say very little during this process so that the finished project truly belongs to them. We do not want them choose what to draw or how to draw it based on our comments or in order to seek our praise.
Lastly, as parents we want to model this activity for our children by participating as well. This not only provides a good example for the children but also creates memories as you learn side by side.
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