Handbook of Nature Study Notes 3

Here are my notes from the reading from Challenge number 3:

The Correlation of Nature-Study with Language work (pg 16)

    Comstock observes that using nature journals will naturally encourage writing and spelling skills. However, this should not be overtly part of the purpose of the nature journal or else the child will object: "Nature-study should be so much a part of the child's thought and interest that it will naturally form a thought core for other subjects quite unconsciously on his part.....But there is something in human nature which revolts against doing one thing to accomplish quite another."

The Correlation of Nature-Study an Drawing (pg 17)

    Children love to draw things they are interested in! I've certainly observed this in my children. To quote Comstock: "When the child is interested in studying any object, he enjoys illustrating his observations with drawings; the happy absorption of children thus engaged is a delight to witness. At its best, drawing is a perfectly natural method of self-expression."
    However, as with the danger of forcing writing skills mentioned above, there is a danger in forcing drawing for drawing's sake too: "It is only when the object to be drawn is foreign to the interest of the child that drawing is a task." I guess my task will be to try to make nature journalling something spontaneous, creative and interesting and not a chore or something that has to be done.
    I was interested in Comstock's theory that, when left to their own devices, children will naturally choose the best medium for their drawings depending on the subject they're trying to capture: pencil, crayon or paints.

    Finally, I agreed with the sentiment that children should not be made to feel that they can't draw because they're not good artists: "Too much have we emphasized drawings as an art; it may be an art, if the one who draws is an artist; but if he is not an artist, he still has a right to draw if it pleases him to do so." Again, I need to be willing to let my child include drawings in our nature journal that I might not think are the best - something that troubles my perfectionistic tendencies!