How to Grow in Nature Journaling 

I started with my four children drawing something from nature every day or so when they were eight years and under. It could be from a nature walk, the backyard or the fridge. But it had to be something from nature and different each time. The only instruction was to "draw exactly what you see". The results were surprising to me and then I tried it for myself. I realized I could draw a cicada, a blue cypress leaf, an ant, a pansy, all in close detail. I had no idea there were so many details to notice and appreciate, and simply copy onto paper. None of us have had any drawing lessons. Now, my oldest is eleven, the middle eight, and the twins six and their favorite "past time" is drawing. Thank you for your insights !

This was such a helpful conversation - I've plotted out my lesson structures for three subjects thanks to it. Thank you Richele and Sonya.

Thank you very helpful and also a great reminder to do a long with them. Hard for a mama with lots of littles to remember but something I want to do. Doing a phenology wheel with my kids last year was a great habit to start to get me in habit of doing these things with my children.

I've never been good at anything artistic, and therefore never bothered to teach art to my children. Is it too late if they are already in high school? What is the best way for us to start? Should we just jump right in there with the brush drawing first and foremost?