5 Ways to Have Fall Fun While Learning

We just launched our new fall printables and at home activities! I am so excited to share these because fall is my absolute favorite season. I love all things fall from the cozy sweaters, beautiful weather, holidays and of course the fun books, centers and decor. There are so many ways to incorporate fall fun into learning ,especially when you're short on time.

1. Sensory Bins: These are so easy to make- either use natural materials found on a nature walk (think pinecones, leaves, sticks, acorns, etc.) or buy a pack of faux leaves, puffs, little pumpkins, whatever you can find. Mix in some tissue or crinkle paper and voila! You can even use kids' plastic tweezers (can find them at the dollar store) or measuring cups, spoons, ladles, whatever you have in the kitchen. This helps with sensory learning, vocabulary when you talk about what's in the bin, and fine motors for tweezing, scooping and mixing. Use any plastic bin or box you have on hand and have at it!

2. Cooking: Another great part about this season is the food and drinks: apple and pumpkin spice anyone? Kids can learn a lot from you in the kitchen, from how to measure, count, level and pour. They can learn about following directions and step-by-step writing (in school they may call it "how-to" writing). Best of all, you can spend time together. Check out our at home activities section to find a crock pot applesauce recipe with simple ingredients.

3. Books: So.many.fall.books. I love them all! Each month we put out a set of 4 favorite books for the month and ways to use them at home with your child. It includes skill practice and a link to buy the books. You can always check your local library as well for some great fall book choices.

4. Fall scents: You can make play dough with apple pie or pumpkin spice. Add colored rice to your sensory bin and add some spices or make cloud dough with some fall scents. This is another great way to add in some experimentation with sense of smell during play.

5. Dramatic Play: This is a great time for dress up in costumes for Halloween or just for fun. Kids can make a pretend pie or apple stand, farmer's market or bakery. Use an old box or make a stand out of things you already have in the house- chairs with a blanket, for example. There are SO many ways to incorporate some fall fun into dramatic play. Our printables section has printable money, apples and an apple stand sign. Check it out!

The First Few Days of School

The first few days of school are a big adjustment for everyone. There are new routines, or jumping back into old ones, maybe new schools, new teachers, new friends. Maybe your child is taking a bus, walking or being dropped off for the first time. Maybe it's not the first time but everyone is still a little nervous. It happens, even for teachers, every year!

The first week or so of school is a lot of learning routines, getting to know teachers, classmates and expectations and figuring out how to get everyone up, dressed and out of the house on time. As hectic and busy as it may seem, there are a few things you can do to help ease the transition.

1. Practice! Practice what the morning routine will look like. Think of it like a dress rehearsal before a performance. You can work out any challenges the day or week before as needed and everyone will feel better.

2. Visit your child's classroom if possible! It will comfort them to know where to go on that first day, but remind them that there will be teachers and staff ready to help if they need.

3. Create a visual schedule for your child to follow so they know what to expect in the morning routine. See an example in our fall printables section! If you need one personalized, please send us an email.

4. Make it fun- I have heard of families doing a run through of the morning routine and then going out for breakfast or lunch afterward, going to the park, or going shopping for those last few school supplies after.

5. Breathe. It will all be fine. They will get to school and settle in, and it will take a few days at least. Often, it takes the first two weeks to get into a good routine, so have patience with yourself and your children.

Offer a big hug, words of encouragement, or space if they need it at the end of the day. Remember, they have been sitting, listening, learning all day long after a long break and may "crash" when they get home. You might see big emotions, tantrums or exhaustion so make sure to be there for whatever it is they need from you during this time. You know your little one best!

Hidden Treasures of Reading Together

Do you enjoy reading books with your little one? Do they like to read the same books over, and over, and over again? Fun fact, that's actually great for pre-reading skills!

When you sit down to read with your child, whether it's a fairytale, non fiction book, or other picture book, they are soaking in all kinds of great skills. From hearing you model how to read fluently, to learning new vocabulary, to understanding how to turn pages and how text is read from left to right, it's ALL amazing for their learning. Just like my post earlier this month about making time and using time with your child to enjoy them and help them learn, reading together is another one of those "you're probably already doing it" things.

Here's what I mean. Just reading a book together packs in tons of learning, bonding, and important moments for children. We have been reading with my son since he was a newborn and at not even a year old, he knows how to turn the pages, lift the flaps and always checks to see if it's a touch and feel book. It's quite amazing to see him get a book and sit down with it, right side up, and look through it quietly at such a young age. But that just goes to show that exposure is EVERYTHING. He enjoys looking at books because adults in his life have spent time reading with him, and he now has book handling skills (a kindergarten expectation). He has a lot of practicing to do and stills throws them on the ground when he's done but luckily we have some time before he starts Kindergarten to get that one mastered!

On a more serious note, book handling skills are an early pre-reading skill that we taught first thing in Kindergarten because there were actually a few students each year who did not know how to handle books appropriately. So, long story short, any and all reading that you do is important. Keep up the good work!