OUTLINE OF NATURE-STUDY 



Aims of Nature-Study 



The aims of any subject should be as broad as life itself, in as 

 far as that subject touches the various phases of life. Nature- 

 study is so closely related to many vital aspects of human life, 

 that the aims of nature-study must be broad and comprehensive. 



In the preparation of these outlines the two great functions of 

 education have been kept in mind, to promote the welfare of the 

 individual and that of society. As applied to nature-study this 

 two-fold aspect may conveniently be divided into four aims; the 

 esthetic, the social, the economic, and the hygienic; the first 

 dealing largely with individual welfare, the second with social 

 welfare, and the remaining two with both individual and social 

 well being. 



Esthetic Aim — One important aim of nature-study is to furnish 

 greater pleasure in living. Enjoyment is an element necessary 

 for the most successful living. Everyone demands and seeks some 

 form of enjoyment. Some of the pleasures thus obtained are 

 positively harmful, some are worthless, and others are helpful. 

 One purpose of nature-study is to furnish a helpful kind of enjoy- 

 ment that shall make life more worth living. The study of nature 

 furnishes many opportunities to derive such pleasure. Thru all 

 his life one is surrounded with a wonderful variety of beautiful 

 plant and animal forms. People are realizing today as never 

 before the advantages of living outdoors in contact with nature. 

 The enjoyment of life is greatly increased, oftentimes, perhaps, 

 unconsciously, if one knows the trees that help so much to make the 

 landscapes beautiful, and can name the flowers that adorn the 

 roadsides and gardens, and sees and hears the birds that gladden 

 the springtime by their beautiful colors and musical songs. 



The raising of flowers, vegetables, and fruits in the home garden 

 is a source of much pleasure, as well as having economic and 

 hygienic bearings. 



Young children derive great pleasure in keeping pets, and the 

 care of these pets has the further advantage that it helps to develop 

 in children a sense of responsibility. 



