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Nature Walks: More than Just a Stroll in Nature

Updated: Feb 6

Is Nature Walk just a stroll in Nature? Not at all, there's so much more. In this journal, we wrote down some observation - how the children explore, and what might they be picking up as we go along for a walk.


We have also gathered heartfelt responses from moms who make time to be outdoors with their little ones. Discover their insights in our IG post here.


Exploring the Charlotte Mason Approach


The Charlotte Mason approach emphasises the importance of outdoor exploration. This enables children to learn in an interactive and practical way.

When we provide our children with the consistency of a walk, we help them foster a genuine care for the environment. As Charlotte Mason wisely stated, "The question is not, how much does the youth know when he has finished his education, but how much does he care, and about how many orders of things does he care?"

Many people are unfamiliar with nature because they never take a moment to observe it. However, once we pay attention, nature reveals its treasures, and children particularly enjoy discovering them.


Going on Nature Walks


Imagine your child on a Nature Walk, excitedly discussing potential discoveries—like unique plants or local wildlife they may not have noticed beforehand. Some of our older participants note down their observations or sketch what they encounter in a notebook.


We often get asked - "how do I start?", "where do I begin?" when it comes to bringing children outdoors more often.

 

This is where our Nature Guides come in -- specially designed with children in mind. Printed on 100% waterproof material and produced locally in Singapore, these guides are good for rain or shine weather, B5-sized—perfect for little hands. They’re easy to read without being too small, and compact enough to fit snugly into a child’s adorable backpack.




Sometimes, going barefoot adds a level of freedom and fun!
Sometimes, going barefoot adds a level of freedom and fun!

The Benefits of Nature Walks


Nature walks come with a variety of benefits. Here are some significant ones we focus on during our walks:


  1. Direct Observation & Exploration

Children can quickly spot various insects and wildlife during a walk. As they develop an interest in these creatures, they begin the process of observation. This curiosity encourages them to ask more questions and learn for themselves, making them active participants in their education.


Charlotte Mason emphasized learning about the world around us. This includes knowing the names of birds and wildflowers we encounter daily. Learning the 10 common wildflowers in Singapore is a good starting point.


  1. Learning through Living Books

Living Books are written by passionate authors who bring subjects to life. They offer not just dry facts but worthy ideas found in history, poetry, literature, and fairytales.


Selecting the right books is key to providing children with a feast of ideas. Just as a well-rounded diet is vital for a child’s body, a good diet of living ideas is crucial for their mind. Quality literature enhances the reading experience, making stories engaging and memorable.


  1. Recording in Nature Journals

Encourage children to pay attention to details. Younger children can paste items into their journals instead of writing. Parents or educators can assist by writing for them. As children grow older, they can take more responsibility for their nature journals, honing their observational skills.


Recording in a journal fosters narration, leading to a deeper understanding of their experiences.


A Source of Delight


Mason posits that children learn from both books and experiences. The experiences, or "things," often get overshadowed by an emphasis on reading, especially during schooling years. Yet, in early childhood, these concrete experiences shape young minds.


"For the first five or six years of life, everything—especially things in action—is an object of intelligent curiosity for the child. The street or the field becomes a panorama of delight. He has a thousand questions to ask. We occupy him with books instead of things, curing him of his inquisitive nature. This robs him of the joy of living." — Charlotte Mason, Vol. 2, pp. 181, 182.

Kids observing plant life during a nature walk
Children unearthing unique plants during their exploration.

The Beauty of Creation


As we embark on more Nature Walks, we uncover that it’s about so much more than just expending a child’s energy.


When we pay closer attention to our surroundings, we begin to notice the intricate beauty of the ecosystem. From the unique shapes of bird beaks to the fascinating diversity of plants, every detail reflects the creativity of our Creator.




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