nature study notebook and 6 yr old?

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  • June 5, 2009 at 9:29 pm
    delightx7
    Participant

    If I understand correctly, a nature notebook is to be used to draw what you see in nature. We are fairly new to this so here is the problem. DD 13, dd9, and ds 4 all draw what they see (according to age ability of course). Dd 6 asks everyday if we are going to do our nature notebooks, but when we do go for nature walks and we see something to draw and learn about, she does not draw what she sees. For instance, dd 9 caught a Monarch in a jar yesterday, everyone decided they wanted to draw it. DD6 six drew a butterfly but she colored it purple, red and green. I explained to her that she needs to draw what she sees, so what color is the butterfly? Orange, black and white of course, but she does not want to make it those colors. She has done this with everthing she has chosen to draw so far.

    So, do you make your little ones keep an accurate nature notebook or not?

    Thanks,

    Robin – mom to 7

    June 5, 2009 at 11:00 pm
    Esby
    Member

    I would probably go a little lightly with this one. It’s wonderful that your 6yo will draw in nature – that’s a big accomplishment right there. Here are some brainstorming ideas:

    Continue modeling nature drawing yourself. Perhaps make comments sometimes that’s it’s hard to capture the exact color or express your happiness or frustration with how the colors on your paper match or don’t match the real item. Comment on how the colors look different in the bright sun vs. the shade. Ask your 6yo for color advice…”is this green pencil the same green as the leaf I’m drawing, I’m not quite sure.” In other words, gently introduce the idea of accuracy into your conversations without making it too obvious.

    Also, you could point out that artists throughout the ages have studied nature and objects in accurate detail…and then they used that knowledge or those models in their creative work. In other words, learn the monarch’s correct colors and then later use what you know about the monarch to create a picture of a fanciful butterfly or fairy, etc. I don’t know how well that argument will go over, but I would give it a try.

    Or, you could go completely silly and say, “Let’s make our next drawing as funny as possible!” and everyone picks off-the-wall colors. And then say, “Okay for our second drawing, let’s be serious.”

    When you comment on her drawings, compliment the shape, style, etc.

    I wouldn’t force the issue too much. It sounds like you have a creative kid on your hands and that’s wonderful. She might pull out of this stage on her own…or totally amaze you with nature drawing that reflect her own colorful personality.

    I wish there were a way to see your family’s journals.

    June 6, 2009 at 8:56 pm
    delightx7
    Participant

    Thanks Esby, those are some really neat suggestions. I guess I just needed some perspective on the importance of doing it accurately, but without destroying her interest.:-)

    Robin

    June 6, 2009 at 10:54 pm
    Mamasong
    Member

    Esby,

    I love your ideas, thank you for sharing some keen wisdom with us!

    Rachel 😀

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