Just about every day now I get an email from someone who wants to just get started with the Outdoor Hour Challenges but they don't know where to start. There are several strategies for starting but I think the most important thing to remember is that one of the purposes in starting the challenges in the first place was to help parents learn to do a simple nature study using the Handbook of Nature Study.
So my best suggestion for newcomers is to make sure to complete the first five challenges and then join us in challenge #20 with the year long tree study. This is my suggestion for newcomers as well as those that have gotten behind in the challenges.
The first five challenges contain such important information from the Handbook of Nature Study that I don't think you should miss reading it. Those challenges set the stage for all further nature study and will give you a great overview of how to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time.
If you have sort of stumbled along the way and need to get started again with the challenges, pick a challenge you can excited about. Take 15-20 minutes for nature study in your own backyard. Keep it simple and let your child enjoy the time outdoors. If the challenge is completed or if you just have a great adventure outdoors, either way you are successful.
We have slowed down a bit in the last few weeks in our family. Outdoor time has been severely limited because of the extreme heat and the air quality. But, we get out early for just a few minutes as much as possible. This week's Outdoor Hour Challenge is one you will not want to miss reading. I will have it posted tomorrow morning.
Leave me a comment on this blog entry and I will enter your name into a random drawing for a Outdoor Hour Challenge refrigerator magnet. These are a great way to remind yourself to get out and spend a few minutes each week with your children in the outdoors. I will draw a name next Thursday evening and announce the winner on Friday, July 18th.
Please feel free to email me anytime if you have any questions about the Outdoor Hour Challenges. harmonyfinearts@yahoo.com
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
