October Nature Notes

I hope that this Nature Note finds you well! 

If you’re new to Exploring Nature with Children, jump right in! There’s no need to begin at a certain point in the year. If you began in September, my hope is that you and your child are enjoying your studies, and learning about the natural world around you.

A wonderful quote to keep in mind as you study is as follows:

“The question is not, – how much does the youth know? when he has finished his education – but how much does he care? and about how many orders of things does he care? In fact, how large is the room in which he finds his feet set? and, therefore, how full is the life he has before him?” 

Miss Charlotte Mason

Nature study lays a wonderful foundation for further scientific study, but it is a worthwhile pursuit and field of study in itself. It is important for our children to care about the world about them, and the natural world presents a veritable feast. Little by little, we can do this! Small step by small step.

For those of you who are using Exploring Nature With Children, the weeks fall as follows:

30th ~ 6th Week 1: Autumn Leaves Week

7th ~ 13th Week 2: Autumn Pond Study Week  

14th ~ 20th Week 3 Autumn Tree Study Week

21st ~ 27th Week 4: Break Week

28th ~ 3rd Week 5: Pumpkin Week

There’s a free calendar for the year to download here.

As always, please work the weeks to suit your own circumstances best; these are just my own suggestions!

If you’re over on Instagram, do pop over and say hello! The Instagram page is very much about community; think of it as your virtual home school co op! Our community uses the #exploringnaturewithchildren hashtag, & also specific weekly hashtags to enable you to connect with other families working through ENWC this year

Seasonal notes:

You may find that you have a glut of apples in the garden at this time of year, or find them cheaply in the shops. Here is a delicious recipe for baked apples.

You may also like to bake ‘Soul cakes‘. Soul cakes are traditional English cake, which date back in some form or other to Medieval times. On All Hallows’ Eve, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, children would go ‘souling’ from door to door, asking for soul cakes. This practice is considered to be how trick or treating first began.

If you are not terribly found of spiders, but have noticed them in your home as autumn has drawn near, then you may wish to try the old wives’ tale of popping conkers or walnuts around the home; in corners, mantles, bookshelves, and window sills. I cannot guarantee that it will keep your home spider free, but it may be worth a try!

Here’s to a happy October. Happy exploring!