Morning Time. Morning Basket Time. Circle Time. In our home, we called it Brain Training Time. Whatever you call the time when your family gathers for learning before jumping into the rest of the homeschool day, it can be a great place to fit in a little nature study. And no, I’m not going to…
Why are flowers so colorful? The answer has much more to do with plant reproduction than simply making a garden look beautiful. Flower pigments, reflected light, and even patterns invisible to human eyes can all play a part in helping flowers attract the animals that pollinate them. Listen to this No Sweat Nature Study Podcast…
Some children can calculate just fine until a math problem asks them to figure out what to do. That’s where problem-solving picture books can be especially helpful. Through engaging stories, children can watch characters work through challenges, try different approaches, notice patterns, make mistakes, and eventually find solutions. These books give children opportunities to recognize…
Fall is a wonderful time for nature study, especially when you add creative nature walks, simple activities, and a few good living books. Fruits and nuts are abundant in autumn, making them an easy and interesting focus for a nature walk. You don’t need to travel anywhere special, either. A backyard, neighborhood, park, or hiking…
Late summer is a wonderful time for a music of insects nature study. Plants are producing fruits and seeds, animals are taking advantage of plentiful food, and the shortening days are already beginning to signal seasonal change. In this episode of the No Sweat Nature Study Podcast, we’ll talk about what makes late summer such…
Why do schools of fish, pods of dolphins, and sea lion colonies spend so much time together when the ocean is so vast? In this episode of the No Sweat Nature Study Podcast, we’ll learn why living in groups gives ocean animals an advantage. It’s also the perfect companion to a coral reef nature study…
Can an animal really live without a brain? It sounds impossible, but that’s exactly the question we’re answering in this week’s No Sweat Nature Study Podcast. As you listen, you’ll meet three amazing ocean creatures and gather plenty of ideas for a starfish nature study with your own family. Sea sponges, jellyfish, and sea stars…
Why does a watermelon have a thick rind while a grape has only a thin skin? In this watermelon nature study podcast episode, kids will discover why fruits have different kinds of coverings and how those coverings help them survive as they grow. We’ll explore how watermelons protect their watery interiors, how orange peels help…
Welcome to my 10 Days of Nature Study series! Each day features a creative nature walk idea and a fun follow-up activity to help your family enjoy meaningful science through nature study. Why Study Nature? Nature study is much more than a pleasant walk outdoors. When children spend time observing nature, they learn to notice…
Have you ever watched a dragonfly dart across a pond and wondered how anything so small can move so quickly? In this episode of the No Sweat Nature Study Podcast, we investigate insect speed by comparing some of the fastest bugs on Earth, including tiger beetles, horseflies, and dragonflies. Along the way, you’ll pick up…
Ben Franklin nature study is such a fun way to help children connect history, science, and curiosity. In this episode of the No Sweat Nature Study Podcast, children learn how Benjamin Franklin’s observations and experiments helped scientists understand lightning and electricity. They also discover why asking thoughtful questions is such an important part of science…
Let’s wrap up homeschooling for the year! I promise it doesn’t have to be stressful. No matter your homeschool style, I bet you’re staring down piles of workbooks, notebooks, lapbooks, projects, worksheets, and folders. The end of the school year comes with wonderful examples of your family’s hard work! I’ve been asked before if I…