Nature Journaling the Anna Comstock Way: How to Start a Nature Notebook with Your Children
What is a nature journal in homeschooling?
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How to Start a Nature Notebook with Your Children
If you’ve ever spotted a bird building its nest, watched a butterfly land on a flower, or traced the curve of a leaf in your hand, you already know the magic of paying attention to nature. Nature journaling is one of the simplest and most rewarding ways to capture those moments—and it’s a practice with deep historical roots.
Anna Botsford Comstock (1854–1930), author of The Handbook of Nature Study, was a pioneer in outdoor education and a champion of the nature notebook. She believed that keeping a nature journal helped children—and adults—develop sharper observation skills, a greater sense of curiosity, and a deeper appreciation for God’s creation.
I learned about her in Pocketful of Pinecones by Karen Andreola. This book is also a nature journaling treasure if you are a homeschooling family.
In this post, we’ll explore what nature journaling is, why Anna Comstock’s philosophy still matters, and how you can start your own nature notebook today.
What Is Nature Journaling?
Nature journaling is the practice of recording your outdoor observations in words, sketches, and sometimes even pressed flowers or collected leaves. Think of it as a blend of diary, field guide, and art sketchbook—your own personalized record of encounters with the natural world.
A nature journal might include:
Sketches of plants, animals, insects, or landscapes
Written notes describing what you see, hear, smell, and feel
Questions sparked by curiosity (“What kind of bird is that?” or “Why are these leaves fuzzy?”)
Dates and weather conditions to track seasonal changes
Personal reflections—anything from a poem to a Bible verse
Unlike formal science assignments, a nature notebook is personal. There’s no wrong way to keep one, and that freedom makes it easier to develop the habit.
Here’s how it worked in our homeschool, and how those habits translated into college success:
Anna Comstock’s Philosophy of the Nature Notebook
Anna Comstock didn’t just promote outdoor study—she encouraged a way of seeing. She believed that a nature journal wasn’t about collecting dry facts but about learning to notice and appreciate the details of the world around you.
Her approach to the nature notebook rested on five main ideas:
Start with Direct Observation
Look first, research later. Spend time with what you see—a caterpillar, a seed pod, a bird in flight—before you try to identify it.Keep the Nature Journal Joyful
Entries don’t need to be long or elaborate. A quick pencil sketch and a few lines of description can be enough to make the experience memorable.Let the Seasons Guide You
Nature journaling flows naturally through the seasons—buds in spring, insects in summer, falling leaves in autumn, and animal tracks in winter.Ask Questions More Than You Answer Them
Curiosity is the heartbeat of a nature notebook. If you don’t know something, write the question down. The search for answers can come later.Draw, Even if You’re Not “An Artist”
Drawing forces you to slow down and observe details you might otherwise miss. The point is seeing more, not creating a perfect picture.
My journey to Charlotte Mason
How to Start a Nature Journal with Children
The beauty of nature journaling is that you don’t need expensive supplies. A simple notebook, pencil, and some time outdoors are enough to get started.
Here’s a Comstock-inspired method for beginning your own nature notebook:
Pick Your Journal
A spiral-bound sketchbook or bound notebook works well. If you plan to use watercolor, choose thicker paper. Make the nature journal special so it’s inviting to use.Choose an Observation Spot
This could be your backyard, a park, a pond, or even a sunny windowsill with a bird feeder. Comstock often recommended revisiting the same spot regularly to notice changes over time.Practice Quiet Observation
Spend 5–15 minutes simply watching and listening before writing or drawing. This helps you see more and record with accuracy.Record What You See in Your Nature Notebook
Encourage children to draw one thing and describe it in their own words. Younger kids can dictate to you while you write it down.Add the Date and Weather
These small details are valuable for tracking seasonal patterns and comparing past entries.Return Often
Weekly nature journaling creates a rich record, but even once a month makes a difference.
Making Nature Journaling a Family Habit
When you keep a nature notebook over time, you build more than just a record—you build a relationship with the world outside your door. Children learn patience and attentiveness. They start to recognize the same robin returning each spring or the way a certain wildflower blooms only after heavy rain.
For parents, these journals become keepsakes. Years later, flipping through an old nature journal will bring back the exact day you found that bird’s nest or the morning you followed deer tracks in the snow.
Anna Comstock saw this practice as more than education—it was moral and spiritual formation. In her words, “Nature study cultivates the child’s sympathy for all forms of life.” That kind of attentive care is a lifelong gift.
Tips for Keeping Your Nature Notebook
Even with the best intentions, a nature journal can feel repetitive over time. Here’s how to keep it engaging:
Mix Media – Use pencil, ink, watercolor, leaf rubbings, or pressed flowers.
Follow Interests – Let your child fill a whole week’s nature notebook pages with ant studies if that’s what fascinates them.
Add Stories – Record a funny thing that happened while you were outside, not just observations.
Stay Flexible – Some days will be richly detailed; others will be quick and simple. Both have value.
Why Nature Journaling Still Matters Today
In an age of screens and fast-paced schedules, the quiet work of keeping a nature notebook feels countercultural—but maybe that’s why it’s more important than ever. It slows us down, teaches us to notice, and connects us to something bigger than ourselves.
Anna Botsford Comstock would tell us that the world is brimming with beauty and mystery—and that a nature journal is one of the best tools for learning to see it.
So, grab a notebook, step outside, and begin your first entry today. In a year’s time, you’ll have more than just pages filled with sketches and words—you’ll have a living record of wonder, season by season.
