Pages

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Sense of Wonder

Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find resources of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. ~Rachel Carson


In searching for quotes online, I frequently have found myself contemplating a lovely one and noticing the name Rachel Carson. I was finally curious enough to research her name and find out who she was.

My research led me to purchase the book The Sense of Wonder. The content is an essay originally entitled "Help Your Child to Wonder" and first published in 1956. Carson later intended to expand the essay into book length but was unable to accomplish this before her death. The Sense of Wonder was published posthumously in 1965 without changes to the original content. The book I purchased was published in 1998 and is illuminated with beautiful nature photography by Nick Kelsh.

The essay itself is simply beautiful. It holds both inspiration and practical advice on sharing the wonders of nature with children. I found myself wanting to share quote after quote with you. It is almost impossible to choose just a couple.

Kelsh's photography is gorgeous. Levi and I poured over the pages of pictures.

For those parents and educators interested in Charlotte Mason concepts, I highly recommend this book as a living book both for children and adults. I was continually reminded of Charlotte Mason's ideas of children and nature as I read the words of Rachel Carson.

I feel the repeated urging, tugging of the heart strings, to let my boys outside. To seek out beautiful details in nature. To marvel at God's incredible artwork. To wander. To explore. To play. To feel.



If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in. ~Rachel Carson
A child's world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement. ~Rachel Carson


If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life, as an unfailing antidote against the boredom and disenchantments of later years, the sterile preoccupation with things that are artificial, the alienation from the sources of our strength. ~ Rachel Carson




There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature--the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after the winter. ~Rachel Carson


10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post!

tie-dyed doula said...

I appreciate all of the advice on homeschooling young ages(book titles etc...)I pulled my 7th grader out of public school this year and home schooled him and it went great (scary but we managed) but now my middle boy is starting home school K this year age 5 and I am just weee bit nervous/curious about teaching him to read, he has a spirited learning style-:)
so, anyway thank you!!
Shine ON!

Poet's Garden Girl said...

Heidi-
beautiful, amazing, lovely photos!
I would go on using adjectives but as this feature does not have spell check, i'll leave it there!
Shan

Amy Jo said...

That last photo of the flower is beautiful!

I just got the leap frog DVD that you recommended. It made me laugh out loud a couple times. My son just stood and stared the whole time. I also got the Museum ABC book from the library (along with about 15 other titles). So far that book has been requested 4x more than the other titles. It's going on my next Amazon order! I read it, sign the word and emphasize the phonetics. Thanks for the tip to start teaching phonetics early! That never crossed my mind...

Heidi said...

Thanks, ladies.

(Shan, you are always welcome to comment even if you misspell words. :) Thanks for adding to the fun time on Monday!)

Amy Jo~ That thrills me to no end! I love hearing when something I've posted is helpful to others! I'm glad you like Museum ABC.

Barb said...

Your photos are totally awesome. Fun to watch you grow in your talent.

Simply Me... said...

Heidi, that blue flower at the end of your post is so cool what kind is it?

Lanny:)

Heidi said...

Lanny~ It is an anemone. Here is a link for ya:

http://extension.umd.edu/publications/PDFs/FS753.pdf

Hope that helps!

Laurel said...

Heidi - just loved the post - both photos (well done girl!) and quotes. I'm putting this on my Amazon wish list!

I also ordered the LeapFrog DVD and Museum ABC. I love a good Mommy Educator approved recommendation:).

You might be interested in this blog. She is a college friend of mine - has written a book on Charlotte Mason/Homeschooling. God has simply given her more hours in her day I am convinced.

www.ebeth.typepad.com

Darcy @ m3b said...

I'm inspired! Adding it to my next Amazon order!

Thanks, Heidi!