Don’t be deterred by the word phenology, which refers to the study of how living things react to seasonal and climatic changes. Aspects of the environment, such as the hours of sunlight each day, precipitation, and temperature all affect the life cycles of plants and animals. Young children don’t need to learn the words. Homeschoolers can investigate ways they can supply their observations to scientists.
Starting a Nature Journal
Unless children are participating in a study that requires them to make specific observations, select a window or spot outside where the child can return each day. A bound journal isn’t necessary. Instead, use sheets of blank paper (or recycle paper) punched with a three-hole punch. Store the completed pages in a binder.
Provide a variety of materials so kids can create different types of artwork each day. One day kids could use crayons, another day markers. Also consider colored pencils, watercolor paints, watercolor pencils, charcoal pencil, or chalk pastels. Another option is to keep a supply of magazines at hand for children to cut apart and paste images that resemble what the child sees. If the child has access to a digital camera and printer, they can take a picture and print it each day.
Making Nature Observations
Return to the same location each day, although different times are an option. Selecting a view is important. Does the window face a bird feeder? Is there a view of the rising sun or moon? Is there a flower garden or interesting tree outside the window? If once a day seems unrealistic, try three times a week or even once a week.
Why record what’s going on outdoors? Children will get a better sense of how nature changes during different seasons. The act of looking through the same window, trying to notice different things, challenges children to develop their observation skills.
Keeping a Phenology Notebook
Make sure to include the day and date on each page. Depending on the age of the child, encourage them to note other details such as the time, cloud cover/sunlight, if it is raining or snowing, how windy it is, the temperature, etc.
The child can draw or paint an image of what they see at one point in time during the day. This doesn’t have to take a lot of time. Within five minutes a child can jot down words and images that give them a snapshot of the day.
Keeping a seasonal journal makes children more aware of the life cycle of the plants and animals in their area. Older children can look into using the information they gather and participating in phenological studies.
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