Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

The “autumnization” of Colorado Springs is already in effect! We’re waking up to chillier and chillier mornings. The leaves are turning majestically to gold and the rare flashes of red maples are so beautiful.   In the mornings we smell lovely woodsmoke in the air. Restaurants are restoring their autumny favorites to the menu. Halloween decorations have begun appearing on doorsteps and lawns. 

Do you love autumn as much as we do at Creekside Kids? We’ll likely fight you on this point because we love the change of seasons here. Fall has a special place in our hearts, and we look forward to engaging in the slower paced rhythms of fall. Each season has its own rhythm and traditions and establishing them with your children makes for treasured memories in the future.  Our Preschool-aged children have not experienced fall after COVID and you can now participate in more fall activities than in the previous two falls!

Instilling a love of autumn in your preschool-aged children can be a fun and engaging experience. Here are some ideas to help you create a positive association with the season:

1. Go on an exploratory nature walk: Take your child on a nature walk to enjoy the changing colors and falling leaves. Point out the different colors and shapes of the leaves, acorns, and pine cones. Collect some exciting specimens to bring home to make crafts with.
2. Share the rites of Halloween and Thanksgiving: You can remind your kids about the many fabulous family traditions on Halloween and Thanksgiving (as poignant, photo-snapping events) by pulling out old pictures and letting them imagine the spooky fun of this year’s trick-or-treat or the delicious family gathering for Thanksgiving.
3. Turn the word AUTUMN itself into a teaching moment: For instance, take the silent N at the end of autumn; there’s a good lesson in how words aren’t always what they appear to be in our tricky English language!
4. Engage in seasonal crafts: Crafts provide a fun and interactive way to celebrate autumn. Some examples include making leaf rubbings, painting pumpkins, decorating masks, or creating autumn-themed wreaths.
5. Read autumn-themed books: Reading books related to autumn can spark a child’s imagination and create a connection to the season. Some great options include “Leaf Man” by Lois Ehlert, “We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt” by Steve Metzger, “The Apple Pie Tree” by Zoe Hall, and “The Scarecrow’s Hat” by Ken Brown.
6. Bake autumn treats: Baking fall-themed treats like apple pie, pumpkin bread, or cinnamon rolls can create a pleasant and memorable experience. Invite your child to participate in preparing and baking the goodies.
7. Create autumn sensory bins: Sensory play can spark curiosity and imagination in children. Fill a container with acorns, pine cones, leaves, and dried corn to create an autumn sensory experience. Add kid-friendly tools like sifters, scoops, magnifying glasses, and tongs to encourage exploration.
8. Attend autumn events: Autumn events like apple-picking, pumpkin patches, or hayrides are great ways to excite children about the season. Attending these events can create lasting memories and provide opportunities for family bonding.

Overall, engaging in autumn-themed activities with your pre-school-aged children can help them develop a positive association with the season and instill a love of autumn that can last a lifetime. We hope you and your family will live it up this autumn!

If you’d like to discuss a place at Creekside Kids for your kids, we invite you to click this embedded link to schedule an appointment. Let’s get to know each other! Like us on Facebook to follow our stories for news and updates. We’re located at 1201 W Cheyenne Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, and we can be reached at (719) 635-9111. Our new hours of operation are 6:45 a.m. until 5:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.