How to Teach Nature Journaling: Curiosity, Wonder, Attention

If you're wondering how to teach nature journaling to students or even just yourself, I want to share my experience diving into one of the best resources I’ve found: How to Teach Nature Journaling: Curiosity, Wonder, Attention by John Muir Laws and Emilie Lygren.

I picked up this book because I’ve been searching for ways to make my own nature journaling practice more alive and also to help others who are new to it. It's not just a book—it's a thoughtful guide full of strategies, activities, and real-world advice from people who actually get outside and do this work.

When I first opened it, I was immediately impressed by the colorful layout, the clear writing, and the way it made a potentially intimidating subject feel inviting. I've used a lot of resources for nature journaling over the years, but none have made me feel so excited and prepared to actually teach it. It's especially useful for anyone leading group activities, whether you're working with kids, adults, or just friends who want to explore the natural world together.

Key Points:

• Focus on attention and wonder before focusing on drawing skills
• Use open-ended prompts that encourage observation and thinking
• Structure outdoor journaling sessions to make group management easier

How to Teach Nature Journaling Curiosity Wonder Attention: The Core Approach

One of the biggest mindset shifts I had while reading this book was realizing that teaching curiosity, wonder, and attention comes before teaching drawing. It sounds so simple, but it completely changed how I approach my own journaling and how I guide others.

Before, when I'd take a sketchbook into the field, I'd often feel pressure to “make something good.” That pressure can kill curiosity fast. How to Teach Nature Journaling taught me that the goal isn't a perfect sketch—it's a deeper connection with nature. The authors encourage using three simple prompts: “I notice…,” “I wonder…,” and “It reminds me of…” These prompts are like magic. They immediately slow you down and make you look closer.

I've used these prompts not only in solo sessions but also when leading casual nature journaling activities with friends. It's amazing how quickly they open up when you give them permission to simply notice without judgment.

Activities that Foster Curiosity

The book is packed with creative activities that build observation skills without overwhelming beginners. Some that I’ve found especially useful include:

• Treasure Hunts: Assign everyone a list of textures, colors, or shapes to find and sketch or describe. It gets people moving and looking.
• Zoom In / Zoom Out: Pick a subject, like a tree, and first sketch just the texture of the bark up close, then the overall shape from far away. It trains flexible observation.
• Comparative Studies: Draw two similar things side-by-side—like two leaves—and note the differences and similarities.

Using these techniques has made me notice the richness around me more deeply, whether I'm out on a casual walk or participating in creative nature journaling excursions.

If you're looking for fresh ideas to keep journaling sessions lively, I'd also recommend browsing my list of nature journaling prompts.

Managing Groups and Encouraging Participation

Managing a group outdoors can be challenging—something I quickly learned when I first tried leading a journaling session. Kids scatter, adults get distracted, and it's easy to lose momentum. Thankfully, How to Teach Nature Journaling offers some rock-solid strategies.

One method they recommend is establishing a “base camp” area—a clear, central meeting spot where everyone returns after short periods of independent exploration. This makes a huge difference. During my last group outing, we set a 10-minute timer for independent sketching and all returned to base camp to share observations. It gave structure to the day without feeling rigid.

Another important tip is giving prompts before people wander off. The book suggests setting a clear purpose for each exploration burst. For example, “Find something smaller than your thumb and sketch it.” It’s incredible how much more focused people are when they’re given a small, achievable mission.

They also stress the importance of modeling behavior. Rather than hovering over participants, the leader should sit down and journal too. When I did this, I noticed the entire mood of the group relaxed. People took their cues from me without me having to say a word.

Practical Tips for Teaching Drawing Skills

Before reading this book, I was honestly nervous about “teaching” drawing. I'm not a trained artist—I'm someone who loves sketching to explore the world. Thankfully, the book reassures you that you don't need to be an expert artist to teach nature journaling effectively.

Instead of aiming for realism, they focus on communication. That can mean quick sketches, diagram-style notes, or simple shape breakdowns. If you can draw a circle, triangle, and a line, you can teach nature journaling.

They also introduce a “shapes first” method: look for basic geometric forms in your subject rather than getting lost in details. I’ve used this technique in my own drawing practice and when helping beginners feel confident enough to draw animals.

The key is to lower the stakes. In my workshops, I sometimes say, “You're not making art; you're making memories.” That mindset shift instantly makes people more willing to put pencil to paper.

The Pros and Cons of the Book

There’s a lot to love about How to Teach Nature Journaling, but I’d be lying if I said it was perfect.

The pros:

• Beautiful, colorful design
• Tons of practical activities you can use immediately
• Deep philosophy that helps shift your mindset
• Works for all ages and settings

The cons:

• The nine intentionally blank pages scattered throughout the book are jarring. They’re meant to “rest the eyes,” but they feel abrupt and unfinished.
• It would be helpful if these blank pages had section markers or light graphics to make the transition smoother.

Ultimately, though, the content far outweighs the formatting quirks. If the blank pages bother you, just see them as built-in spaces for your own notes and sketches.

Who This Book is Perfect For

After using this book myself, I can confidently say it's for anyone who wants to teach or deepen a nature journaling practice. Whether you're a:

• Classroom teacher
• Homeschooling parent
• Camp counselor
• Outdoor educator
• Casual naturalist

You’ll find tons of value here. I’ve even recommended it to friends who wanted to start nature journaling for adults because the activities adapt easily to any age.

If you want even more inspiration, I highly recommend pairing this book with The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds and The Curious Nature Guide.

And if you're looking to expand your toolkit, my guide to nature journaling supplies can help you build a bag that’s light, functional, and fun.