Welcoming Fall: Seasonal Change and New Beginnings

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Toddler

As the season transitions from summer to fall, our learning environment has also experienced a transformation. Alongside the cooler weather and the vibrant change in foliage, we’ve welcomed new smiling faces into our group, enriching our community with fresh energy and new relationships.

This seasonal shift has provided a natural opportunity for exploration and learning. Brooks and Lily, for example, observed the first signs of fall as they watched green leaves slowly drift down from the trees. Their curiosity led them to collect these fallen leaves with excitement and care—treating them as treasures to be shared with peers. This organic interest opened the door to a variety of extended learning experiences.

To support fine motor development, we introduced materials such as tape, encouraging children to engage in "peel and stick" activities. This allowed children to strengthen their hand-eye coordination and dexterity while also practicing colour recognition and matching.

Building on their sensory interests, we extended the experience into the art area. Children were invited to mix colours inspired by the fall palette—exploring how red, yellow, and orange combine to make new shades. This open-ended, process-based art gave children the freedom to experiment with different tools, including sponges, their hands, and paintbrushes. Through this, they developed not only their creativity but also their sensory awareness and self-expression.

These experiences support key developmental domains such as communication, problem-solving, sensory integration, and social-emotional learning, all within the context of seasonal change and child-led discovery.

4 Toddler children around the table with paint brishes and sponges and paint with paper with outlined leaves

Toddler child standing with leaves in her hand looking at them

Toddler child standing and pointing to the tree leaves