A neighbor’s kid is always outside with his little sister. They spend hours, even in the cold of late November, digging, building, exploring the small patch of trees and grass by the lake. The boy loves experimenting with seeds, to see what will grow and how fast.

Howard Gardner theorized that some people are gifted with a strong connection to the environment and other species. Able to notice patterns and changes in their surroundings, they often develop a strong affinity for animals or the natural world from a young age.  Gardner called this ability naturalistic intelligence or “nature smarts.”  

An example is Jane Goodall, whose fascination with wildlife led her from London to 60 years of ground-breaking work in Africa on chimpanzees and species conservation.  Some other famous naturalists are Charles Darwin, Jacques Cousteau, Lewis and Clark, and John James Audubon.



How do I teach my nature-loving child?
Naturalistic learners are a good fit for unit studies and unschooling. They tend to be self-motivated and will absorb all information on a topic that fascinates them.

If you have outdoor space, your child will probably prefer learning in a hammock or on a porch, than in bedroom or family den.  You could even set up an informal outdoor meeting room with some logs, or build a teepee from branches.

If you live in an urban area, something along these lines is still possible! Start or join a community garden and involve your child. Look for a season-long park program that welcomes kids into the urban outdoors.  A museum or a library nearby might have spaces to help kids connect with nature.  

Much like kinesthetic types, naturalistic learners love to be able to touch, feel, hold, and do. Hands-on activities are the best way for these students to learn.

Think about organizing learning around their interests.  Zoology, the study of animals, intersects with science and history, and can be done at home with backyard chickens and butterflies, or combined with museum visits and volunteer projects at, say, an animal shelter or a zoo.  Gardening can combine math, science, and history.  Ask your kid to measure the space, to weigh materials. Perhaps have her research what the area was like a hundred years earlier. Maybe set up a weather station there, or a composting bin that he manages.

Naturalistic learners are great at observing and analyzing. Encourage them, when digging in the dirt, to think. How many different species of insects can they find in the soil? What about at the park? Collect samples, make slides and look at them close up through a microscope. Then make charts and graphs of your garden. For writing/English have him write a report on the different species he found!

Beyond your home base, look for a 4-H or scouting group to join. Go camping on the weekends, or take family vacations to state or national parks.

What will my Naturalistic Learner become?

As with any personality and learning style, there are many options and interests can change over time.  Nature lovers are often drawn to outdoor-oriented careers in science, such as marine biology, veterinary medicine or conservationism.  Landscape design, archaeology, and farming may appeal to them as well.  They may enjoy photography or the culinary arts.  With their strong connection to the natural world around them, they are driven to help people and the planet!

Further Reading:
Frames Of Mind: The Theory Of Multiple Intelligences
Science Adventures: Nature Activities for Young Children
Hands-On Chemistry Activities with Real-Life Applications: for Grades 8-12
Nature and Young Children: Encouraging Creative Play and Learning in Natural Environments

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