Welcome to the colorful world of fall! As the leaves change color and the air turns crisp, fall brings a wonderful opportunity for young children to explore nature and learn through seasonal experiences. At our preschool in San Marino, we’re excited to dive into this magical time of year with fun activities and lessons that celebrate autumn’s beauty.

Why Fall is Special for Preschoolers

Fall is a sensory-rich season, perfect for sparking curiosity and creativity in preschoolers. From the rustling of leaves underfoot to the vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow in the trees, fall invites exploration. The cool weather also provides a refreshing backdrop for outdoor activities, allowing children to engage with nature in new and exciting ways.

Exploring Nature in Fall

Nature walks during fall become a treasure hunt! Children can collect colorful leaves, acorns, pinecones, and even feathers. These natural materials make perfect items for crafts like leaf rubbings, nature collages, and fall-themed art projects.

Learning Through Fall Activities

Fall provides endless learning opportunities. Some ideas we’re incorporating include:

• Leaf Counting: Counting and sorting different leaves help children develop early math skills.
• Pumpkin Exploration: What’s inside a pumpkin? We’ll cut open pumpkins and let the children explore their seeds, squishy insides, and even bake a pumpkin treat.
• Scarecrow Making: By building mini scarecrows, kids can engage their problem-solving skills and work on fine motor development.

Fall-themed Storytime

Storytime is a big part of our preschool day, and during fall, we’ll be reading books like “Leaf Man” by Lois Ehlert, “We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt” by Steve Metzger, and “The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything” by Linda Williams. These books offer wonderful ways to tie in the themes of change, community, and courage.

Bringing Fall Indoors

Even when it’s too chilly to stay outside, we bring the best of fall into the classroom with:

• Sensory Bins: Filled with dried corn, mini pumpkins, and leaves.
• Fall Music and Movement: Dancing to songs about leaves and pumpkins adds a physical element to our fall fun!
• Art Stations: Painting with fall colors, using leaf stencils, and creating autumn-themed decorations.

Celebrating Fall as a Community

We’ll be wrapping up our fall exploration with a family-friendly Fall Festival! There will be pumpkin decorating, face painting, and even a mini “leaf maze.” It’s a wonderful opportunity for parents and children to enjoy the season together.

We can’t wait to see our preschoolers embrace the magic of fall. Be sure to ask your little ones about their fall adventures and stay tuned for updates on all the fun we’re having at our preschool in Altadena!