A Creative Flower Study

Hey, young Nature Explorer and Artist! Prepare yourself for a vibrant journey! Today, you'll be delving into the fascinating world of flowers. You'll use your pencils and imagination to reveal the colorful stories hidden within the petals and stems. Are you ready to let the magic of your imagination bloom?

What You'll Need:

  • Curiosity and Imagination
  • Flowers (real, pictures, or artificial)​
  • Craft supplies like textured paper and fabric
  • ​Nature Journal, and pencils
  • Braille slate and stylus 
  • (Tactile) drawing paper
  • Favorite drawing tools
  • Tactile markers
  • Optional: Magnifying glass for exploring the finer details 
  • Internet access for research
  • Screen reader (if available)

Instructions:

Step 1. Choose and Research Your Flower:
  • Select a flower to study. You can use a living flower or one chosen from a book or the internet. 
  • Research your chosen flower, find out its name, where it comes from, and its unique features.
  • If needed, use a screen reader.
  • Jot down what you learn in your Nature Journal or braille slate.


Step 2. Exploration: 
Now, it's time to activate your senses and imagination. Engage your senses—touch, smell, hearing, and seeing—to interact with your flower. Each sensation reveals something new, igniting your creativity and imagination while providing a new perspective on your flower.


Step 3. Imagine the Flower:
Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and imagine your chosen flower. Think about its shape, size, scent, and color. What do you picture in your mind?


Step 4. Explore by Touch:
With closed eyes, gently engage with the flower by running your fingers over its petals and leaves. Pay attention to its diverse textures and shapes. If you can't physically feel it, draw inspiration from your research and imagine the textures it might possess.


Step 5. Roots' Secret:
Imagine the flower's roots below the ground, anchoring it. Draw or describe what you think they look like.


Step 6. Listening to Nature: 
Imagine the sounds of the flower's surroundings. Is it birds chirping, rustling leaves, buzzing bees, or something else? What sounds do you think you would hear? Draw or describe your imagined sounds.


Step 7. Create Your Flower Story:
Now, it's time to tell the story of your flower. Write or draw a picture that tells us about its life. In your story, you could include many interesting facts, like what makes the flower special, where it grows, who visits it, what part of the flower they see, and why. Be as expressive as you like!


Step 8. Questions:
Write the answers to the following questions in your Nature Journal or braille slate.

  1. How did this activity change how you see, touch, or imagine flowers? Did you learn something new? What other flowers would you like to explore?
  2. What can you learn about the world of a flower by thinking about the different ways it feels when you touch it?
  3. Describe the flower's relationship with insects, birds, or other plants in your story.
  4. How does this activity inspire you to be more mindful of the flowers around you and appreciate their beauty?
  5. How might the stories you make up about different flowers fit together to make a bigger story about the natural world?
​

Step 9. Share Your Flower Discoveries:
Let your discoveries and creativity be the topic of conversation! Share your fantastic flower story and drawings with your family, friends, and others important to you!​


Conclusion:
Every flower has a unique story; your imagination is the key to discovering it. Carry this understanding forward, and let your creations inspire a greater appreciation of our natural surroundings. Have fun, young Nature Explorer, and continue with your flower adventures!

Image credit: Photograph by Natalia Danko