The Noticing Child: How Nature Study Cultivates Observation & Wonder
The Art of Noticing
We’d just gobbled down lunch, and since it was such a gorgeous spring day, we ate outside. It was one of those just right days—not too hot, not too windy, and thankfully, not overrun by flies.
As we sat there, plates empty, we noticed an army of ants marching across the table. They were on a mission! Marching like tiny soldiers, all following the same invisible path. One ant in particular caught our eye—it was hauling a crumb massive compared to its body size. We watched, completely mesmerised, as they navigated obstacles, adjusted their course, and kept pushing forward, totally unaware of their audience.
If we’d been rushing that day, we would have completely missed this little marvel of nature. Their mission, so crucial to them, unfolded right in front of us as we casually ate lunch. It sparked a conversation—how incredible is it that creatures so tiny have such intricate social structures? And how on earth do they carry things so many times their weight? Imagine if we had to do the same—what would that even look like?
Modern distractions (screens, busy schedules) often make kids (and adults) overlook these small wonders. Many times I have been so focussed on what I’m doing and I miss out on what is around me. Just last week, one of the teens called me to show me an awesome spider's web. The spider had made the biggest web he had ever seen! It was just above our outside bins - I am sure I had passed that web numerous times in the previous days and I had missed it. I returned the next day and that day after just to check on the web and see how it had changed. It was a pleasure to watch and observe this amazing creature.
How Nature Study Enhances Observation Skills
Learning to observe nature sharpens a child’s mind, making them more aware, curious, and thoughtful.
It also;
Improves Attention to Detail – Kids start to notice small changes, like flower buds opening or bird calls changing with the seasons.
Strengthens Memory & Focus – Studies suggest time in nature boosts cognitive function and memory retention.
Encourages Patience & Mindfulness – Observation takes time, fostering a slower, more intentional way of learning.
Enhances Scientific Thinking – Nature study involves pattern recognition, prediction, and drawing conclusions.
Nature Study & Cognitive Development - The EVIDENCE
Research indicates that engaging children in nature study significantly enhances their observation skills and overall cognitive development. A study published in the Journal of Biological Education demonstrated that early exposure to natural patterns, such as observing the fractal designs in plants, supports the development of scientific observation skills in young children. If that’s not a good enough reason to begin, then what is?
If you are thinking, “But I don’t have time for ONE more thing in my homeschool day,” start here…
Start Noticing Things in Nature - This is the most simple change you can make. Don’t tell the kids what to notice, just tell them what YOU notice. Get excited about what you see and it will eventually rub off on them. “I wonder what bird is that?” “Wow what a beautiful sunset!” “Oh that flower is so beautiful - oh my gosh it’s got little insects on it!” This brings their attention to what you are noticing and they will gradually start noticing things and telling you what they see.
Start a Noticing Journal – A simple notebook for kids to jot down or sketch things they observe outside. No instructions. Just a simple sketch. They can write or draw, whatever they prefer.
Morning Nature Minute – Spend 5 minutes (or 2?) outside each morning just observing the sky, plants, or sounds. You could ask them to have 1 minute silence to use all their senses. What can they hear, smell, see, feel (but maybe not taste!)?
Seasonal Walks – Take the same walk once a month (or every 3 months) and note changes in trees, flowers, or animals. Or if you can’t get out the house much, pick a tree you can see from a window in your house - how does it change thorough the year?
Cloud Watching & Weather Tracking – Keep a basic weather journal and note patterns in the sky or the rainfall, or temperature. This is great for covering science too!
Birdsong Identification – Listen to bird calls and try to match them to different species. Or if you are unsure what the species are, then try to identify how many different sounds you can hear in 1 minute.
Spider Web Hunts – Look for webs in the morning dew and discuss how spiders weave their intricate designs. What bugs have they collected overnight?
Keep a Nature Jar - We have done this for years! Any time the kids find something interesting in nature they bring it inside and put it in the jar (I think it is actually an old glass vase!). When the jar (vase) is full, we tip it out and start again. This way, we always have nature bits and pieces available for a nature lesson. This can be as simple as picking something out of the jar, trying to draw it and notice all the intricate parts of the object.
If you want to commit to more time in nature then here are 5 more ideas…
Nature Journaling: Encourage children to keep a journal where they sketch plants, animals, or landscapes they observe. This practice enhances attention to detail and reinforces learning.
Regular Nature Walks: Dedicate time for short, routine walks in local parks or natural areas. Use these opportunities to discuss seasonal changes, different species, and ecological interactions.
Bird Watching: Set up a bird feeder and provide field guides or apps to help identify visiting species. This activity sharpens auditory and visual observation skills.
Gardening Projects: Involve children in planting and maintaining a garden. Observing plant growth cycles fosters patience and a deeper understanding of biology.
Weather Tracking: Create a simple chart to record daily weather conditions. Discuss patterns and encourage predictions, integrating basic meteorology into daily routines.
If you want some help with some FREE printables here is a nature pack for you to download for your family.
The Lasting Impact of Observant Learning
Children who notice the world deeply grow into more thoughtful, creative, and engaged learners. Don’t think you need to change your curriculum to add this into your school day. Start small—just noticing nature each day can make a difference. This would take all of a few seconds out of your whole day. Start now. Look out the window, what are 3 nature things you can see? 2 sounds? 1 smell? It's that easy!
