Nature Study Curriculum Comparison // Exploring Nature with Children & Gentle and Classical Nature

Hi friends! I've been asked to compare the two nature study programs I have used to homeschool my kids ... we have loved BOTH programs for different reasons. Please comment below with any thoughts or questions!
Video mentioned:
• Homeschool Nature Stud...
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[@rosieboss7871]

Thank you for the video. Glad I found it. This is my first introduction to Gentle and Classical Nature.

[@queenhomeschoolsuppliesinc]

As the publishers of CM-inspired curriculum for almost 30 years, we're always excited to see how others use the CM methods in their own homeschools. Thanks for sharing with us!

[@kaitlinleigh8751]

I love this comparison. Thank you!

[@kaylaf1205]

I am *so* happy I looked back and found this video as I've been debating between both of these! Haven't finished watching yet but thank you for sharing your thoughts!

[@sciencemama]

So glad you found it! Which program did you end up going with??

[@knowledgebynature8480]

Wonderful video, thank you! I have purchased the Exploring Nature with Children for our 1st-grade year and am really looking forward to the addition it will provide for our homeschool!

[@sciencemama]

Knowledge By Nature How exciting- I can’t wait to see what you think!!

[@ErinCoxGentleClassical]

I’m so thankful for these videos you’ve made ❤️❤️❤️

[@sciencemama]

Hi Erin! I'm so thankful for your curriculum, it was a joy to use it when we did :)

[@leahkuqo]

Such a helpful video!! I really appreciate your perspective with children of varying ages.

[@sciencemama]

Leah Kuqo Good - I’m glad the video was helpful, they are both such great programs!

[@livingwithhope3330]

I'm so glad I found your channel! I am using The Gentle and Classical preschool 2 this year with my 4.5 year old and 3 year old. I've been eyeing Erin's nature curriculum and debating whether to purchase. I have ENWC and dabbled in it last year. Really, we read a few of the books and spent more time outside. I was looking it over yesterday trying to decide if I try to use it again.

[@sciencemama]

LivingwithHope Both are excellent programs! I think Erin just launched her new nature program 😍

[@leahkuqo]

Oh My, I’m so thankful for you!! This weeks “to-do” on my mom, homeschool, research list is exploring nature studies. Yet again, you delivered. Thank you 😊

[@sciencemama]

Hooray, I'm so glad the video helped you! What did you decide on for nature?

[@leahkuqo]

I think we will start with exploring nature with children.

[@roxyperson8328]

Thank you !! I was not aware of gentle and classical and I was looking for something for my 4 and 6 year old.

[@sciencemama]

We loved G&C Nature :)

[@crystaldorais4073]

I have been eyeing both curriculums to start after our Easter unit and work into the summer. Just something light and fun for my kiddos. I am definitely going to print out Gentle + Classical.

[@sciencemama]

It is such a wonderful program, I hope you like it!

[@CozyReaderKelly]

I watched your review of the Gentle and Classical first and asked your preference between the two programs. But this video helped with that. I was only going to do nature on fridays so Exploring with Nature might work better for us.

[@sciencemama]

Cozy Reader Kelly Every other Thursday is our current nature study plan - so I agree that ENWC would work better with that type of a schedule!

[@ohemgeebooks]

I’m looking forward to seeing what you are planning to do next for your homeschooling curriculum.

[@sciencemama]

Emily Goolsby I’m filming this week - so it will be up the week after! I just love curriculum planning season 🤣

[@HaleyDaly]

I really appreciate how you explain things, thank you for the Time you put into your videos. What would you say are the bare essential tools, supplies, and just things to have on hand to successfully begin homeschooling? I have a 3 yr old son who has speech apraxia and after MUCH deliberation and tears, this is what is best for him (the IEP the district I live in would not have benefited him personally as much as outpatient therapy and homeschool has the ability to). We also have an incredibly smart 2 yr old girl and one more on the way. I feel a little overwhelmed with wanting to do the best thing for him and her. Thank you so much again!

[@sciencemama]

Hi! Congrats on the decision to homeschool! At those ages - I would say lots of good books and then beginning math and phonics materials :)

[@melodychan6844]

Your video is right on spot to what I’m processing and deciding right now! I’ve eyes both of these and I have downloaded her Gentle and Classical curriculum before but felt quite overwhelmed with the material to use with my little 4 year old girl. I recently bought Exploring Nature with Children for the flexibility aspect. I’m also not a huge nature person because it wasn’t a part of my upbringing environment, so I felt this would be an easy way to ease into nature study and learn together with my daughter. My copy of nature anatomy just came because everyone seems to rave about it! Any advice on how to use it in conjunction with Exploring Nature with Children? I flipped through it and, while I like the artwork, it’s not real life photos and then I got lost as to how to incorporate this with nature study. Thanks so much for the video!

[@sciencemama]

Melody Chan Oh I’m so glad it was helpful - both programs are great! I would say the Nature Anatomy book is useful because it is pretty ... we often traced things (butterflies, flowers) and then colored them! Really simple stuff ... it’s easier to trace that book than a field guide 🤣. But my kids also liked looking through field guides! We definitely didn’t follow ENWC like it is written, my kids were just too young ... but I loved it for inspiration 😀

[@kristiea3897]

What journal do the kids use? Thank you ☺️

[@sciencemama]

We tried using the Journal from Gentle & Classical Nature but it was a bit much for us ... so I just picked them each up a small multimedia art book and they use that to watercolor all the nature things they find :)

[@SevenInAll]

I've seen quite a bit of Exploring Nature with Children. Hey, I wanted to mention that after seeing it in your video, I went and printed off the teacher's guide for Gentle + Classical Preschool and have been using it! I was just curious, with either of these nature study programs, is there a whole lot of focus on seasons/seasonal activities? I was just wondering because since we do live near the equator, we don't have seasons to play with.

[@sciencemama]

Seven In All Oh I’m so glad you printed it G&C preschool! I would say that Exploring nature with children had more of a seasonal focus than G&C nature because it centers the nature ideas around the month of the year!

[@sarahmcaulay4300]

I think you mentioned this in another video but is Gentle + Classical religious and Exploring Nature secular? This will be my first year homeschooling my kindergarten daughter, preschool daughter, and 2 year old son. I am loving all your videos, they are so helpful!!!!! I was wondering if you could do a video on how you organize your school stuff (ex. books, manipulatives, morning & afternoon baskets), what your school room/area looks like, and items you would recommend for a successful homeschool experience (ex. printer, laminator, stapler). Thank you!

[@sciencemama]

Sarah McAulay Our kids are very similar ages!! Gentle and Classical is definitely religious- I don’t think ENWC is, I think it is more neutral! I’m so glad the videos have been helpful - yes I would be happy to share on all of those things - I’m already planning a schedule/routine video as well as toddler activities video ... I will add the rest of your ideas to my list! Let me know if you have any other requests 😀

[@sarahmcaulay4300]

Science Mama thank you! I look forward to watching it!