A boy who is observing a beetle does not consciously apply his several senses to the beetle, but lets the beetle take the initiative, which the boy reverently follows: but the boy who is in the habit of sensory daily gymnastics will learn a great deal more about the beetle than he who is not so trained.
An object lesson is the experience of carefully observing, listening to, touching, and smelling an object from nature. Object lessons can include observing plants, insects, leaves, bird’s nests, etc.
The benefits of including regular object lessons include:
- Heightened observation in personal nature study.
- Training of the senses.
- An increased interest in nature study and nature journaling.
For example, consider raising monarch caterpillars in your home – caring for them and watching them grow. When the caterpillars transform into a beautiful chrysalis, with accents of gold, you wait in expectation for new life to emerge. Watching them emerge and take their first flight is a powerful teacher.
A valuable resource to guide object lessons at home is The Handbook of Nature, by Anna Botsford Comstock.
Discover the joy of including object lessons in your educational feast!
As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra expense to you.
