THE NATURE STUDY MOVEMENTKevin C. Armitage
"nature," declared Cornell University horticulturalist Liberty Hyde Bailey. "may be studied with either of two objects: to discorver new truth for the purpose of increasing the sum of human knowledg; or to put the pupil in a sympathetic attitude toward nature for the purpose of increasing the joy of living."
After critically analyzing the first couple chapters of the Nature Study Movement I wanted to make it my goal to educate my fellow classmates of important notes on the topic of nature. The importance of nature and the study within nature. for instance, in todays day-in-age when you are feeling stressed out and overwhelmed indoors we all choose to go outside, to go for a walk, a run, etc. Why do we turn to nature as a last resort in helping ourselves? If we don't live one with nature, and care for it as much as we need it than it won't be there when we need it the most. we need to preserve our environment, think greener. I found it ironic that I had to use technology to project my opinion on the topic of nature. Which is why I chose to take a part of my study outdoors.
The most important thing is interaction with nature itself, rather than the representations of it.
As you follow me through this Blog, please take the time to go outdoors and really see your surroundings.
Onward to the focus of children and their interaction with nature, without outdoor education for children, their minds don't develop fully to their surroundings. Without contact with nature a child lacks moral behavior in nature. Every contact that a child has with nature elevated, strengthens, and purifies. Children should be taught not to alter or possess nature; they should be taught to have reverence for life.
A pioneer to early childhood education; Fredrich Froedel, best know as creating kindergarden. came through the emphasize the importance of childhood education in its early years.Play is the first means of development of the human mind, its first effort to make acquaintance with the outward world, to collect original experiences from things and facts, and to exercise the powers of body and mind. ~ Friedrich Froebel
Children learn how to interact with the outdoors, nurture plantlife and also animals like insects and birds. Froedel knew that the experience that children have with nature would induce in children humility and reverence, practical skills, and the desire to learn. "interaction with nature was the source of experience that would foster children's development"
Think about grass. An important part of photosynthesis. we use grass for beautiful coveerage around our homes/properties. We play sports on it. Animals use it as food. It is a carpet of comfort and such a multi-used surface that we take for-granted. Have you ever really looked at grass? Go outside and lay on the grass... feel it, and actually take a minute to watch it grow. The purpose of nature education is more than just to care for the environment. It is to allow civilians embrace experience and be able to modify their own interpretations in the world.
As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives. Henry David Thoreau
