Children may become interested in autumn when they notice leaves changing colours and falling from trees. When children are outdoors for extended periods, they observe the seasonal changes to nature.
Learning about seasons connects with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) as children develop respect for their environment (2.4).
Let the seasons guide your teaching. And remember, new learning opportunities will arrive when autumn transitions into winter.
Learning experiences
Mix colours
Teach children about basic colour theory by mixing paints. Observe the autumn colours of the trees outside and make the same coloured paints. Use these paints to create autumn artworks.
Make autumn playdough
Make a light brown or golden playdough, depending on what autumn looks like in your community. Collect natural items like sticks, seed pods and dry leaves. Add these to your playdough table.
Monitor the temperature
Preschool children can use their STEM skills to document the progression towards winter. Using a chart, record the outdoor temperature every day at the same time. Can you feel it getting colder? Do we need to wear warmer clothes yet?
Dance like an autumn leaf
Collect autumn leaves and bring them inside. Play classical music and use the leaves as inspiration for dancing. Can you dance with a leaf in each hand? Can you move your body like a floating leaf? Can you make music by scrunching or stomping on dry leaves?
Wear leaf crowns
Provide materials for children to make autumn crowns. Make a headband from paper or thin cardboard, and glue autumn leaves around it.
Children can also make necklaces by threading leaves on a string. Use age-appropriate needles or make holes with sticks, skewers, or a hole punch.
Make an autumn snow globe
Children can make their own snow globes to celebrate the season of autumn:
- Add dried leaves and small natural items to a jar.
- Fill ¾ of the jar with water and 1 to 2 tablespoons of glycerine, which can be purchased from supermarkets. This mixture will help the leaves swirl more slowly.
- Place the lid firmly on the jar.
Discussions
- What happens in autumn?
- What is your favourite season?
- What causes leaves to change colour in autumn? Learn about leaf colour changes on Curious Kids.
- Why do some trees lose their leaves in autumn? Learn why leaves fall on Curious Kids.
- What new vegetables can we plant during this season?