Reflections on Nature Study by Angi DeLong

I am so excited to introduce you to my dear friend Angi today. I met Angi when her daughter and my oldest played soccer together. We were a force of loud – encouraging – soccer moms from the sidelines together. When we found out each family homeschooled, we became good friends. We’ve walked, nearly weekly, together for years and talked everything from homeschooling, to kids, books, to the symphony and musicals, praying for one another and … nature study. The path we walk on we can find trillium sessile and trout lilies and wild ginger (and more); it follows a river and we’ve seen gulls and ducks and herons and one memorable day a bald eagle.

Angi has me watching clouds more and always has an encouraging word that nature study can be simple. I have two posts from her about how Nature Study doesn’t have to be intimidating. She has sent some beautiful pictures she’s taken over the years. I hope you enjoy this series and hope to hear from Angi again as a guest poster on occasion.

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Reflections on Nature Study by Angi DeLong

I was recently asked, as a veteran homeschool parent, what really worked for our family. Honestly, I don’t recall exactly what I said in the moment. However, upon further reflection, I would have to say that making nature study a way of life was one of our most impactful choices. I want to highlight its value and why everyone should consider including daily nature study in their lives as well as show how simple it can begin.  

Our homeschooling “why” evolved over the years but always included a desire to instill a love of lifelong learning in our children. We didn’t want their natural curiosity to be squashed. I can’t say we didn’t have some moments where we feared we had done the exact thing we set out not to do, but with two homeschooled graduates who are now successful young adults, we have a whole different perspective.   

Nature study, even in the smallest moments, paved the way for immense growth and character building. We all improved our habits of attention, observation, thinking, and reverence. As Charlotte Mason wisely said, “An observant child should be put in the way of things worth observing.” We focused on “things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (Phil 4:8b) – seeing God’s handiwork from the tiniest shells to the grandest sunsets. We asked questions we couldn’t answer. We followed the rabbit trails of ideas. We experimented. And we were left wanting more – inspired to continue seeking and learning.  

Psalm 19:1 tells us, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” This became evident to us daily as we engaged with the natural world. 

The fruit of this practice does appear, though it may take time; don’t give up.  

How it Began 

Physically, we started exploring the natural world as early as I can remember – taking backyard walks in our suburban neighborhood and wandering through a small, nearby park. We sought out any parks within a reasonable distance – sometimes for the playgrounds and sometimes for the walking trails. Don’t underestimate the educational value (physics) of a playground or the natural discoveries that can happen in any small outdoor space: sky, gravel, bugs, weeds, patterns, etc. We collected treasures along the way. We also drew, photographed, observed, experienced, or talked about everything. 

Academically, we dove into Apologia’s Elementary Science series in the earliest years and loved it. Since our children were 2.5 years apart, they were able to do combined science studies early on, though their differing interests eventually led them to explore some topics separately. Later, we transitioned to Ambleside Online, where we encountered amazing living books that inspired us anew. School of the Woods by Long and The Life of a Spider by Fabre instantly come to mind as favorites. 

“We all have need to be trained to see, and to have our eyes opened before we can take in the joy that is meant for us in this beautiful life.”  -Charlotte Mason 

Today, my adult children send me pictures of spectacular skies, bones they find while hiking, and unique bugs they encounter. They share articles about natural phenomena knowing I will be just as intrigued. I know they still see God’s fingerprints all around them and remain curious. That, to me, is a success in fostering lifelong learners.  

I recently asked my adult son about our homeschool journey and he shared this: “The interactive, hands-on, engaged learning we did still holds value today…” So much of that began with nature study.   

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