Nature Journaling Made Simple: Helping Kids Notice, Wonder, and Connect

Nature journaling is much more than drawing outside. In this episode, Lauren sits down with Billie Jo Reid from Pine & Ponder Outdoors to explore how nature journaling helps children slow down, notice the world around them, and deepen their connection with nature.

Billie Jo explains that nature journaling combines words, pictures, and numbers to help children make sense of their observations. While drawing is one part of the process, the true purpose is to carefully observe, ask questions, and build meaningful connections with the natural world.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What nature journaling is—and how it differs from simply sketching outdoors.
• Why observation and curiosity are more important than artistic ability.
• How nature journaling supports inquiry, critical thinking, and multiple ways of learning.
• Why celebrating children's questions is just as valuable as finding answers.
• How drawings help ground observations and encourage children to slow down and notice details.

Billie Jo shares a simple routine that teachers can easily implement:

1. Explore and Connect
Begin by giving students time to simply be outside. Allow opportunities to explore, play, and build a relationship with the place before asking them to record anything.

2. Observe
Go on a short nature walk and encourage students to find something that catches their attention.

3. Notice
Before writing, encourage oral discussion using prompts such as:

• What do you see?
• What colours do you notice?
• What shapes?
• What size is it?
• What textures can you observe?
• Can you count anything?

4. Wonder
Invite students to ask questions using the Five Ws and How:

• Who?
• What?
• Where?
• When?
• Why?
• How?

Make Connections
Encourage students to build personal connections:

• "It reminds me of..."
• "It looks like..."
• "I've seen something similar...

One of her biggest tips is to always start with metadata, recording:

• Date
• Time
• Weather
• Temperature
• Location

Practicing these routines—even something as simple as writing the date on classroom whiteboards each day—helps students develop habits that soon become second nature.

Whether you're completely new to nature journaling or looking to strengthen an existing outdoor learning practice, this conversation is full of practical ideas that make getting started feel approachable.

If your school or district is interested in learning more, Billie Jo offers professional development workshops and presentations through Pine & Ponder Outdoors.

Happy exploring!