Nature Study is mentioned quite often here on Shaping Hearts and Hands.  Nature is a vitally important learning environment, especially for very young learners.  Many families enjoy getting outdoors and seem to naturally pick up on things to explore and do.  Some households are not outdoor-oriented and  getting started in nature study may be harder.  For those who need a bit of inspiration and practical direction in getting started, the Handbook of Nature Study blog is a perfect resource. This fabulous blog by a homeschool mom is one of the best nature study resources you will find on the web.   Using Anna Comstock’s Handbook of Nature Study (available free online) as a foundation, this blog will give you valuable ideas for a weekly outdoor hour as well as seasonal nature challenges and information on creating nature journals. There are lots of great freebies on the sidebar to get you going in the right direction. Now that we are about to experience a change in the seasons, this is a great time to incorporate nature study into your homeschool curriculum.    Exploring the nooks and crannies of this valuable blog will take time, so grab a cup of tea and prepare to be inspired!