Nature Schooling Homeschool Curriculum Picks
What is Nature Schooling?
Allow me to introduce you to the fascinating world of nature schooling!
A holistic and immersive approach to homeschooling that fosters a deep connection between children and the natural world. Nature schooling is an open ended educational philosophy that emphasizes hands-on, experiential learning with children spending time in outdoor exploration, observation, and discovery.
Related Reading: Get outside! Teaching the Four Seasons as part of your preschool curriculum
Getting Kids Outside
This unique approach has been proven to nurture creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills while promoting physical, emotional, and social well-being.
Unlike traditional homeschooling methods, nature based learning harnesses the power of the natural environment to inspire curiosity, wonder, and a lifelong love for learning.
Essential elements such as fresh air, open spaces, flora, and fauna are invaluable teaching tools that spark children's innate desire to investigate, ask questions, and make meaningful connections with the world around them.
The History Behind Nature-Based Learning
The concept of education through nature has its roots in various educational philosophies and movements that emerged during the 18th and 19th centuries. One of the earliest proponents of nature-based education was Swiss educator Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi (1746-1827), who believed that children should learn through sensory experiences and direct interaction with the great outdoors.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, other prominent child development figures like Friedrich Froebel (1782-1852), the founder of the kindergarten movement, and Maria Montessori (1870-1952), an Italian physician and educator, also emphasized the importance of nature and hands-on learning in their pedagogical approaches.
However, the term "nature schooling" is a more recent development, gaining popularity over the past few decades as parents and educators increasingly recognize the benefits of connecting children with the natural world - primarily through nature preschools.
Influences For Nature Curriculum For Preschool
When reading about nature-based preschool curriculum options, they often reference what educational philosophy inspires their methodology. The following are common educational methodologies for preschool-aged children
Waldorf Education: A holistic, arts-based curriculum developed by Rudolf Steiner that emphasizes imaginative play, storytelling, and nature exploration for preschoolers. Waldorf preschools often have natural outdoor play spaces, use natural materials for toys, and integrate seasonal rhythms into daily routines.
Montessori Method: Developed by Maria Montessori, this child-centered approach encourages hands-on learning, practical life skills, and sensory exploration. Montessori preschools incorporate nature through outdoor activities, gardening, caring for plants and animals, and using natural materials in the environment.
Reggio Emilia Approach: An Italian educational philosophy that values children's curiosity and emphasizes the environment as the "third teacher." Reggio-inspired preschools provide opportunities to play outdoors, explore nature, and develop creative expression using natural materials.
Forest Schools: Originating in Scandinavia, forest schools are outdoor education programs focusing on play, exploration, and skill development in natural settings. Preschoolers in forest schools learn through hands-on experiences, such as building shelters, observing wildlife, and engaging in creative play with natural elements.
Nature Based Curriculum Options
The following lists make up complete curriculum options and stores that offer resources for supplementing your lesson plans across many ages. I have another post with information specific to nature-based kindergarten homeschool curriculum.
Many of these resources are incredibly beautiful! Your best bet is to check them out and see what artistic style resonates with you.
Comprehensive Homeschool Curricula
Blossom and Root: Blossom and Root is secular and nature-based and can be used as a main curriculum. It combines hands-on exploration, literature, and the arts. With a strong focus on outdoor learning and nature study, it offers lesson plans and resources for preschool through elementary levels, adaptable to individual learning styles and family needs.
Oak Meadow: Oak Meadow is a comprehensive, holistic-based homeschool curriculum emphasizing nature and the arts. It offers resources from preschool through high school
Wildwood Curriculum: Wildwood Curriculum is a secular, Charlotte Mason-based curriculum with a strong focus on nature studies. It covers language arts, math, history, science, and art, using living books and hands-on activities to encourage exploration and observation.
The Habitat Schoolhouse: The Habitat Schoolhouse is a gentle, nature-inspired curriculum focusing on early learning concepts through hands-on activities and outdoor exploration. Using engaging and beautifully designed lesson plans, it covers language arts, math, science, and art.
Nature's School: Nature's School is a nature-based curriculum that covers language arts, math, science, and social studies through outdoor exploration and hands-on activities. It offers thematic units and lesson plans encouraging children to observe, explore, and appreciate the natural world.
Exploring Nature with Children: Exploring Nature with Children is a flexible curriculum that guides families through a year-long study of nature along a particular theme appropriate for the season. It involves lots of outdoor exploring and nature journaling. This one is more suited for early childhood education, though it could be used as a supplement for older children. It provides weekly nature walk suggestions, related art and literature resources, and hands-on activities.
Waldorf Inspired
Earthschooling: Earthschooling is a holistic, Waldorf-inspired curriculum integrating nature studies, art, and environmental education into academics. Covering language arts, math, science, and social studies, it offers thematic units incorporating outdoor exploration, seasonal celebrations, and hands-on activities.
Waldorf Essentials: Waldorf Essentials is a holistic, nature-based Waldorf curriculum inspired by the Waldorf philosophy. It offers a comprehensive program covering language arts, math, science, and social studies, emphasizing exploring the outdoors, seasonal rhythms, storytelling, and artistic expression.
Little Acorn Learning: Little Acorn Learning offers seasonal, nature-based curriculum guides, subscription boxes, activity books, and printables for homeschooling families. Their resources are inspired by Waldorf and Charlotte Mason's educational philosophies. (https://www.littleacornlearning.com)
Supplemental Curricula
Wild Math Curriculum: A hands-on homeschool curriculum supplement designed to teach math concepts through outdoor exploration and activities, connecting mathematical concepts to their natural surroundings. Suitable for children in kindergarten through grade five.
Tinkergarten: Tinkergarten is an outdoor, play-based program that develops skills like problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration. While not a full curriculum, it offers online classes, DIY activities, and resources to supplement your homeschooling program, encouraging exploration and connection with nature through fun, age-appropriate activities with which the whole family can have fun.
Tanglewood Hollow: Offers beautifully illustrated printables, activity ideas, and inspiration for incorporating the natural world into your homeschooling. While not a full curriculum, it provides a wealth of resources such as nature study guides, flashcards, and posters that can be used alongside your chosen homeschool program.
Little Oak Learning: Offers printables, activity ideas, and support for parents seeking to incorporate nature-based learning into their homeschooling routine. While not a full curriculum, it provides a variety of beautifully designed resources such as nature study guides, seasonal activity packs, and educational posters that foster a love for the natural world and encourages hands-on exploration and discovery.
Rooted Childhood: Rooted Childhood is a seasonal resource collection emphasizing nurturing connections with nature and fostering creativity in young children. It provides monthly guides filled with nature-inspired crafts, recipes, songs, and stories, which can be used alongside your chosen homeschool curriculum to incorporate more nature-based activities into your child's learning experience.
Nature Study Hacking: Nature Study Hacking provides a unique curriculum supplement in guided nature study lesson plans, videos, and printables for families seeking to incorporate nature-based learning and nature journaling into their homeschool routine. Designed for children of all ages, from kindergarten to middle schoolers, it encourages observation, experimentation, and a deep understanding of the natural world through guided nature walks and activities.
Chickie & Roo: Chickie & Roo is a beautiful homeschool curriculum supplement available online that offers beautifully designed, nature-based homeschool materials, including printable activity packs, seasonal nature study guides, unit studies, and educational posters. (https://www.chickieandroo.com)
Twig and Moth: Twig and Moth offers beautifully illustrated nature study resources for homeschool families including printable materials for botany, zoology, and earth science. (https://www.twigandmoth.com)
Raising Up Wild Things: Raising Up Wild Things provides nature-inspired homeschool resources such as printable activity packs, unit studies, educational posters, and seasonal nature guides. (https://raisingupwildthings.com)
Nature Based Learning Community
Wild + Free: Wild + Free is an online community and resource shop that offers nature-based homeschooling materials like monthly print magazines that follow a particular theme, activity bundles, and conference recordings. We've found this to be a great resource for meeting other families and meeting up over the school year. (https://www.wildandfree.co)
Exploring Nature Benefits Everyone!
With any of the above resources, both you and your child can create not only a solid education but a slew of memories.
They will remember that hike to the waterfall - the math lessons with acorns instead of plastic cubes, or the read-aloud on a blanket under the trees. With a little prep work, you can create any adventure!
And the best part of nature-based learning? Grumpy attitudes and restless bedtimes are banished by spending hours outdoors in nature with fresh air. My kids are always hungrier, happier, and more exhausted after a day spent exploring outside!
