Virtual Program: Nature Journaling for Kids

 Nature Journaling for Kids was my third virtual program. I knew I wanted to incorporate my creative writing programs virtually and thought nature journaling would be fitting for the summer and for summer reading. 

For this program, I gathered research online and used some craft books and professional books to help me with this one. 

First most, I explained what nature journaling is and what the benefits are of nature journaling. Nature journaling can be beneficial for both kids and adults and is a fun idea to do as a family.

After I talked a little bit about journaling and how you can involve nature, I showed my virtual audience how to make their own nature journal using paper, ribbon, and a folder, along with some cut out nature magazine pictures to decorate and make a collage.

Once done making the journal and showing the steps, I shared some of my simple journal entries to get them started and what things they could look for in nature that they could write about and keep stats about in their journal.

Lastly, I showed them a little clip of me in my backyard interacting with nature and showing them how they can be inspired to write in their journal in their own backyard.

This was a fun to film outside and show them what kind of things I found in my backyard-what kind of flowers, leaves, and even a turtle! It was such luck to run into that turtle that day of filming.

Doodle Art Journaling

Everyone really enjoyed this program and I had every child registered show up. This was an absolute pleasure to instruct and the kids had a great time doodling. Each participant were able to grab a journal from the table to start and to keep.

I started our one hour program by presenting a Power Point on journaling tips and journal page examples. The group learned more about the journaling process, got tips on what to do to be inspired, and were shown journal page examples that were filled with information and doodles. Each were given copies of the Power Point and it was mentioned that they could use the doodling examples on those pages for inspiration as well. Most of my info came from Nancy Loewen's It's All About You book. It offered simple explanations and tips on the journaling process. I also encouraged those to start doodling while I was explaining.

After we went over the Power Point, I presented some slides that showed journal page ideas. They seemed to have gotten really inspired to create some of these neat journal page ideas. Quite a few tried to copy a few of the pages presented, while others free-styled, which was also encouraged.

Once this part of the program was over, the group had a half hour to continue doodling and writing. There were books in the middle of the tables for reference, worksheets to copy/trace from, and various journaling supplies such as rulers, markers, pens, pencils, and colored pencils.

During this time, everyone was super quiet and focused. I played some soft music in the background. Quite a few shared their pages. Some copied the ideas presented, some used the books, and some came up with their own ideas. It was fun to see how perfect they mimicked the examples and how creative their original ideas were.

I had one girl who made a "cat names" journal page for all the names she was thinking of naming her new pet kitten. I also had another child mention her emotions and how she wanted to have a journal to write them down in. Quite a few other boys and girls showed their artistic abilities.

A few wanted to know when the next writing program was and I told them that we will be writing and creating our own mythical creatures next, but they definitely wanted more journaling programs. Writing programs mixed with art has been accepted well, even over the writing games concept. 

Other books I used for inspiration and for display were doodling books by Stephanie Corfee, doodling books by Carolyn Scrace, Journal Sparks by Emily K. Neuburger, Draw Your Own Animal Zendoodles by Abby Huff, and Writing Radar: Using Your Journal to Snoop Out and Craft Great Stories by Jack Gantos.