When children learn outdoors, something magical happens. A stick becomes a wand, a log becomes a balance beam, a leaf becomes a story waiting to be told. At The Native School, we see daily how a Reggio Emilia approach combined with nature immersion nurtures curiosity, independence, and joy. But you don’t have to be in a formal outdoor program to bring these practices home.
If you’re homeschooling your 4–7-year-old—or simply looking for ways to enrich your family’s time outside—here are some Reggio-inspired, nature-based practices you can try right away.
1. Follow Your Child’s Curiosity
Reggio Emilia is rooted in the belief that children are natural researchers. Instead of starting with a rigid lesson plan, begin with your child’s questions.
If your child notices an ant hill, pause and explore. Encourage questioning: Where do they go? How do they carry food?
Set up a “provocation” by placing items invitingly - for example, place a magnifying glass, jars, an informative picture book about ants, and paper with art supplies near the ant hill
Follow their curiosity and invite inquiry with connections to other topics such as engineering, math, and storytelling
Tip: Keep a simple “wonder journal” where your child can draw, dictate, or write their questions. This can become the foundation for mini-projects.
2. Create with Nature, Not Just About It
Art is a natural conduit to learning, helping to document and solidify understanding, but instead of premade craft kits, try using what the natural world offers.
Make paint from crushed berries, turmeric, or soil.
Use sticks as paintbrushes or clay tools.
Invite your child to create a leaf collage or shadow tracing.
Imitate natural patterns like animal tracks, fractals and spiderwebs.
Tip: Ask, “What story does this picture tell?” Be mindful not to place your adult assumptions on their creation - instead, ask! Their organic answer often becomes as meaningful as the artwork itself and takes on new life as a written narration.
3. Weave Math into Outdoor Play
Math doesn’t have to live in workbooks—it’s all around us.
Collect stones and sort them by size or shape.
Compare leaf lengths with a string “measuring tape.”
Create patterns with pinecones, shells, or flowers.
Count and record the amounts of birds, lizards or snails spotted.
Tip: Encourage your child to record their discoveries in numbers or drawings. For example: “Five big leaves + two small leaves = seven.” Use twig tally marks or ten frames to support one-to-one counting.
4. Grow Literacy Through Narration
Narration—retelling a story or experience in your own words—is a powerful Reggio practice for literacy.
After a walk, invite your child to narrate “the story of” what they saw: “First we saw a hawk, then we heard the water, then we found a feather.”
Write their words down in a nature journal, or help them write them. In a hurry to get to the next stop? Record their voice to use in dictation later!
Encourage storytelling with found objects—stones become characters, sticks become paths.
Tip: Pair narration with sketching. A drawing + dictated words makes a beautiful, child-authored “page.”
5. Make Nature Your Classroom Routine
Homeschooling doesn’t have to look like “traditional” school at all. For ages 4–7, the rhythm matters more than a strict schedule.
Start with a morning nature walk.
Rotate daily invitations such as: Monday – Math in Nature, Tuesday – Storytelling Outdoors, Wednesday – Art with Natural Materials.
End the day with reflection: “What was your favorite discovery today?” This can develop into shared or independent writing or support emergent literacy through verbal narration.
Tip: A simple basket with a lined/unlined notebook, art & writing supplies, twine, a magnifying glass, and nature treasures becomes your mobile classroom.
Remember: You’re Learning Together
Homeschooling isn’t about perfection—it’s about partnership. You don’t need all the answers. In fact, it’s powerful to say: “I don’t know. Let’s find out together.” Your child will see that learning is a lifelong journey, and that curiosity is the true curriculum.
At The Native School, we believe that the natural world is the richest environment for early learning. Whether your child is enrolled in our program or learning at home, you can nurture wonder, creativity, and resilience by following their questions, listening deeply, and letting nature lead the way.
Try this week: Go outside with your child, sit under a tree, and ask: “What do you think the tree would say if it could talk?” Write their response down. You might be surprised at the poetry in their words.
Learn more about Emergent Writing to inform your homeschooling practices with our informational flyer detailing the steps.
Print the free Emergent Writing on the Go kit and get started in your backyard, local park, or on your favorite nature trail!