"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about?  It just makes me feel glad to be alive-it's such and interesting world."     
~Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Wonder

I know exactly what Anne means when she says those words in Anne of Green Gables.  I am always amazed and almost overwhelmed when I think of all that there is to discover and to study in our world.  From the birds and butterflies that fly through the air to the ducks and turtles that swim in the pond; from the  pine and maple trees that grow so big and tall to the violets and daisies that are so dainty and small; they are all around us, just waiting to be discovered.  God created a world full of things to find out about.  I want so badly to see and share it all with my children.  I want them to feel just like Anne felt.  I want them to feel wonder and awe in God's creation.

There are just so many wonders to experience in our world.  You can start right in your backyard.  You can visit a neighborhood park.  Here are just a few ideas to get you started.
  • Birds
  • Caterpillars and butterflies
  • Bees
  • Insects
  • Frogs and toads
  • Turtles
  • Fish
  • Trees
  • Flowers
  • Moss and Lichen
  • Rocks
  • Clouds
  • Sun and shadows
  • Wind
  • Rain
  • Snow

One of the best ways I know to order our children's affections is to fill each day with wonder.  Our children are born with wonder and curiosity, so all we need to do is cultivate it.  We must purposefully put wonder into our days. 

Order your Days with Wonder

Wonder Out of Doors
  • Play outside every day
  • Do nature study- time outside every week, for discovering and wondering at God’s creation
  • Take nature walks- walks in nature, as a part of nature study, or done as a separate activity
  • Begin nature journaling- a blank book for drawing, painting, and writing about discoveries made in nature 

Wonder in Your Backyard
  • Plant and tend a garden (flowers and/or vegetables)
  • Create a butterfly garden
  • Create a hummingbird garden
  • Welcome birds with feeders, houses, and a birdbath 
  • Make a frog or toad house
  • Attract bees, ladybugs, and other insects with a bug hotel

Wonder In Your Home
  • Create a nature table- a display inside your home made up of treasures found in nature
  • Start nature collections- collect rocks, feathers, seeds, moss, shells, insect specimens
  • Do flower and leaf pressings-  if you press your flower and leaves, you can keep them in great condition
  • Begin nature journaling- keep your nature journal, pencils, paints, and brushes within easy reach so an entry can be made at any time
  • Use field guides and nature guides- keep these guides within easy reach for further study, looking and reading
  • Read living books- keeps books on topics from nature for further study, looking, and reading

Wonder in Anything:  Wonder can be brought into any subject, into any lesson.  It does not have to just be in nature.  We can create wonder in...
  • Words, language
  • Numbers, math
  • Music
  • History of the World
  • Architecture 
  • Art

All things bright and beautiful
by cecil frances alexander

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours,
He made their tiny wings.

The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
God made them high and lowly,
And ordered their estate.

The purple headed mountain,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning,
That brightens up the sky;

The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one:

The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
We gather every day;

He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell,
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.

Keep it simple, effective, and joyful!

Here is how we do nature study.
Click the "Nature Study" button.