Piedmont Master Gardeners want to encourage children’s interest in plants and other natural materials. In the children’s activity in our March newsletter, the author suggested that children take a closer look at nature by using a cardboard tube for focused observation. In this activity, children again make observations outdoors, collect a few items from nature, view them carefully, and record what they see in drawings.
Activity: Draw What You See (ages 7-10, can be adapted for younger and older)
Objective: Enjoy and learn from drawing natural objects collected outdoors.
Materials: several sheets of plain white paper (copier paper is fine), magnifier (if available), sharpened pencil, colored pencils (optional), bag or small box to collect samples
Process:
- Go outdoors with child to a natural setting, such as a park or your own backyard. Ask the child to look around and talk about what she sees. Child can observe through a cardboard tube, if one is available.
- Notice and talk with the child about leaves, sticks, pinecones, acorns, or other visible items from plants on the ground.
- Prompt observations with questions:
- What do you see when you look around?
- What’s below you on the ground?
- What objects catch your interest? Why? (size, unusual edges, colors, the shape, texture)
- Where did this object come from? (tree, bush, etc.)
- Have the child collect 4-5 items to take home. Place these in paper bag or small box. Remind child not to disturb anything growing, such as parts of living plants.
- Back inside, ask child to look closely at the collection. Turn items to view all sides. Talk about colors, sizes, shapes, folds, textures, and edges.
- View objects with a magnifier. How do they look close up? What details can you see now?
- Ask the child to compare two of the items. Which one is bigger? Which one is darker? Which one is more irregular? Encourage child to use descriptive language.
8. Next, have child compare all items in the collection. Which one is the biggest? The prettiest? The most interesting? etc. Do you have a favorite? If so, why? (the size, shape, color, smell, etc.)
9. Ask child to choose one item from the collection to draw. Set object on a table or countertop in good light. Have child describe the shape of the object (circular, oval, etc.).
10. Ask child to draw that shape with a pencil, including smooth or zigzag edges. Notice the folds, bumps, openings, edges, shadows, or hidden parts. Encourage the child to add those details. Explain and show the child how to use a pencil to shade in darker areas.
11. Next, have the child draw her favorite part of the selected item.
12. If colored pencils are available, child can add color to the drawing or make a second drawing in color.
13. Continue until child is satisfied with the drawings. Discuss and help the child label the drawings.
Connecting with objects discovered outdoors nurtures children’s curiosity about plants and the natural world. Providing pleasurable experiences for children to interact with nature helps to “sow seeds of gardening joy.” Encouraging children to record observations helps to sustain their interest, build confidence, and motivate continued engagement with horticulture.
Resources (for drawing and observing nature):
Lara Call Gastinger artwork for reference (Renowned Charlottesville Artist)
The Art of Drawing (Bernard Chaet, Yale University Press, 1983)
Featured Photo: Melissa King
