In this blog, I want to share my passion for combining art lessons with the natural world. I love sharing art activities that can be integrated with nature. It’s truly rewarding to witness children making connections to the natural world through flowers and insects and engaging in real learning like a scientist.
Influence Learning About The Environment
This hands-on art learning experience is memorable! There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing children deeply curious and excited about discovering our planet. As Montessori educators, you understand the immense benefits of exposing children to nature and fostering a sense of connection and responsibility towards the environment from a young age. This influence can have a profound impact that lasts a lifetime.
Understand Nature by Going Outdoors
However, it can be challenging to know where to begin this journey and lack the resources or knowledge about art lessons. Although the natural outdoor spaces available to us may vary greatly, ranging from parks, backyards, hiking trails to small farms and everything in between, what truly matters is taking the first step towards connecting with nature and getting them outdoors.
I recall that during the first half of my children’s homeschooling journey, we immersed ourselves in nature by going on hikes, gardening, planting flowers, collecting natural specimens, and visiting various natural spaces. There were so many opportunities to capture this learning and follow up with an art project. When I began teaching art classes in my home to my community, we took our drawing and painting activities outdoors! My students thoroughly enjoyed these outdoor sessions, sparking numerous engaging conversations about nature and biospheres.
Tips for combining art and the natural world:
- Foster a Scientific Approach: Encourage your child to observe nature like a scientist would.
- Artist’s Perspective: View nature through an artist’s eye, paying attention to shapes, textures, and elements.
- Artistic Creations: Engage in creating art using natural materials.
- Observation: Experiment with drawing, crafting, and painting representations of various natural elements like soil layers, energy, rocks, minerals, fossils, landforms, water, flora, fauna, and the atmosphere with fun art mediums.
Check out my top nature-based art blogs for more inspiration on blending art with the natural world.
One Step Further: Outdoor Nature Journal Checklist
Get Your Free Outdoor Nature Journal Checklist!
Ensure your students delve into nature like true scientists with this Outdoor Journal Checklist. It covers everything they need to kickstart their exploration, from collecting specimens to observing nature, sparking inspiration for their artistic creations.
You can print it out or save it on your phone so you have it with you the next time you lead your students outside to journal.
To download the checklist for FREE, click here.
Take My Video Training
And don’t miss out on my video training course “How to Theme Art & The Natural World.” Join now for a creative adventure!
Enroll here: Register Now: Montessori Course: Theme Art & The Natural World |
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