The first day of fall is Sept. 22. It is essential for preschoolers to know that different seasons exist so celebrating this day in your classroom is not an option. It must be done.
Fall is my favorite time of year in the class. I always bring up a pumpkin spice candle from home to set the mood. It makes your classroom smell so warm and already gets those preschoolers senses going. It also relaxes you as a teacher.
Begin by decorating your room in the warm colors of fall. Then get ready to bring fall to every center in the classroom. Here are some fun ideas and activities.
Art
Class fall tree-I put this first because while it is the most common, some teachers tend to shy away because of the mess. Kids love this activity and it is easy decoration for your room as well as for the parents to see. Get a large piece of butcher paper. Draw the base of a tree with branches. It does not have to be perfect. Then cover the branches with the kids handprints. Do orange, red, yellow and brown. Make sure the kids have several handprints of several colors on the tree. Include their name by the handprints.
Indian corn-Get some bubble wrap and allow the kits to paint with fall colors. Before art cut out corn shaped paper for each kid. Allow the kids to place the painted bubble wrap on the corn. The kids will love it and the parents too!
Painting with produce-Fall is such a great time to hit the farmers market. It can also be a great time to bring that farmers market inside the art center. Allow the kids to dip mini pumpkins or gourds in fall colored paint then lets them stamp or paint paper with them. They will find it to be hilarious.
Paint with acorns-Collect empty coffee cans or pringles cans for this activity. Allow the kids to dip acorns in fall paint. Tape a sheet of paper inside the can. Drop the acorns in and put the lid on. Allow the kids to shake, rattle and roll. Then pull the paper out for a creative art treat.
Leaf Art-As a class go for a nature walk and collect leaves. Bring the leaves in and tape them down to white paper. Then take fall colored paint and paintbrushes. Allow the kids to gently paint over the leaves. Then after it dries, pull the leaves up.
Drama Center
Raking leaves-This was always my kids favorite activity. I usually had some scarecrow hats or farmer hats and aprons in the center for the kids to dress up. Dump silk fall leaves on the floor. Allow the kids to rake the leaves up and put in toy wheel barrow. They love doing this. You can get a plastic rake at the dollar store.
Farmers Market-Create your own farmers market in your classroom. Get out the plastic vegetables and fruits. Be sure to include bags or baskets along with a toy cash register and money. The kids will love taking turns being the farmer and customers.
Sensory Table
Leaf float-Place real or silk leaves in the table with water. Allow the kids to watch and see if they float or sink. You can also add acorns.
Feed the deer-Place deer corn in your sensory table. Place toy deers in their as well and allow the kids to pretend to feed the deer.
Candy Corn-Place candy corn, harvest mix, etc. in your sensory table. Place measuring cups and spoons. Allow the kids just to dump and scoop. They will love it.
Shelling-Allow the kids to shell peas in the table. They will be surprised to see where the food they eat comes from!
Music
To the Tune of the Ants Go Marching
The leaves are falling one by one! Hooray! Hooray!
The leaves are falling one by one! Hooray! Hooray!
The leaves are falling two by two! Hooray! Hooray!
The leaves are falling two by two! Hooray! Hooray!
March around while letting the kids throw leaves in the air.
To the tune of Wheels on the bus
The leaves on the trees turn orange and brown, orange and brown, orange and brown, the leaves on the trees turn orange and brown all through the town.
The leaves on the tree
come falling down
falling down, falling down
the leaves on the tree come falling down all through the town.
The leaves on the ground go swish swish swish, swish swish swish, swish swish swish, the leaves on the ground go swish swish swish all through the town
These are just a few suggestions. I wish you a fun fall in your classroom! Be sure to leave your favorite activities in the comment section below.
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