Embracing the Beauty of Autumn: Exploring the Season at Footsteps Preschool
Autumn, with its vibrant colours and crisp air, is a season of wonder and transformation. At Footsteps Preschool, we believe in nurturing a love for nature and encouraging our young learners to embrace the world around them. This September, we embarked on an exciting journey to explore the theme of Autumn, allowing our children to discover the magic of this season.
Nature Walks: Connecting with the Great Outdoors
One of the first activities we like to introduce is nature walks. As a Forest School setting, we believe that the best classroom is the one without walls, and there’s no better way to learn about Autumn than by immersing ourselves in it. Our children put on their coats and ventured into our beautiful outdoor surroundings.
Guided by our passionate teams, the children explored the changing landscape. They discovered fallen leaves of all shapes and colours, listened to the rustling of the trees, and felt the cool breeze on their cheeks. These walks helped them develop a deep appreciation for the natural world and instilled in them a sense of wonder about the changing seasons.
Come join the fun – it’s CONKERS!
The excitement of finding conkers was another highlight of our Autumn theme. The children loved scouring the ground beneath the towering horse chestnut trees. The thrill of discovering these shiny, mahogany treasures sparked curiosity and engagement. Finding conkers allowed our children to connect with the environment in a tangible way, fostering an understanding of the natural world and its cycles. Our fun didn’t stop at collecting them.
At Footsteps Preschool, we believe in hands-on learning and creative expression. We introduced the children to the fascinating world of conkers in unique ways. We got super messy in our tuff tray with gloop, making marks using conkers as stamps, and then painting them in a delightful array of colours. Additionally, our curious learners had a blast rolling conkers down chutes, eagerly measuring how far they would go. These playful activities not only celebrated the joy of Autumn but also showcased our commitment to making every learning experience at Footsteps Preschool an adventure.
Exploring our senses
Tuff trays became our canvas for exploring the rich tapestry of Autumn. We filled these sturdy containers with a myriad of Autumn objects, transforming them into miniature wonderlands of the season’s treasures. Pinecones, leaves, sticks, and acorns found their place, inviting young hands to touch, sort, and investigate. These tactile experiences allowed our children to engage with the textures, shapes, and scents of Autumn, promoting sensory development and curiosity. Tuff trays served as a bridge between the classroom and the natural world, encouraging our little explorers to immerse themselves in the magic of the season while fostering an enduring connection to the wonders of nature.
Crafting with Collected Leaves
Autumn wouldn’t be complete without crafting with leaves! Our little artists gathered leaves of various shapes and sizes during their nature walks. Back in the classroom, they transformed these colourful leaves into beautiful works of art. Using glue, scissors, and their boundless creativity, the children crafted leaf animals, collages, and even leaf crowns. This hands-on experience not only encouraged artistic expression but also deepened their connection to Autumn.
Painting and Printing with Autumn Objects
Another captivating activity was using Autumn objects like sticks, leaves, and pinecones to create artwork. We set up a painting station with an array of vibrant Autumn colours and invited the children to dip their finds in the paint and print them on paper. The results were astounding! Every piece of artwork was a unique masterpiece, and the process allowed the children to explore textures, shapes, and colours as well as use lots of lovely vocabulary. It was a delightful way to celebrate the beauty of Autumn and ignite their curiosity.
Creating Autumn Family Activities
In our quest to nurture a deep appreciation for Autumn, we extended the learning experience beyond the preschool walls. To ensure that the magic of the season continued at home, we sent home special collection bags with each child so that our young adventurers were well-prepared to collect Autumn treasures during their weekend outings or walks to and from preschool. These not only encouraged our children to become keen observers of their surroundings but also strengthened the bond between home and school, making the exploration of Autumn a shared and cherished experience for families.
Embracing Autumn as a Learning Journey
At Footsteps Preschool, we believe that the theme of Autumn goes beyond just seasonal changes; it’s a way to foster a deep connection with the natural world. Through nature walks, treasure hunts for conkers, leaf crafting, exploring the senses and creative printing, our children have embarked on a journey of discovery. Exploring Autumn not only teaches them about the world around them but also nurtures a love for nature. They learn to observe the subtle changes in the environment, notice the shifting colours of the leaves, and understand the importance of seasonal cycles.
As the leaves fall and the days grow shorter, our young learners continue to explore, learn, and embrace the magic of Autumn at Footsteps.
