5 Ways to Help them Develop with Fall Fun!
By Dana Rosenbloom
Fall
is here in full force. I’m in the lucky position of having an amazing
brother and sister (in-law) that give me lots of quality time with my
nephew. But handing him over is always slightly more convincing when
I’ve got something fun and educational planned. Whether your niece or
nephew is transitioning into school for the first time or has headed
back to grade school, it’s always nice to have a plan for when you see
them.
Here are five activities that are perfect for the fall!
1. “Collected Leaves” Collage: Babies
can explore leaves on the grass or in a tub. Toddlers will love
collecting leaves and placing them in a bucket with a handle. Children
at this age can also stick the leaves to the sticky side of clear
contact paper. Fold the contact paper in half, and have it around for
continuous exploration or for use as a placemat. Preschoolers can point
out characteristics that are the same and different between the leaves
they’ve collected and can use glue to put them on to paper. Grade school
children can use the library or internet to identify their leaves and
learn about difference species.2. Draw A Classroom Map: Drawing
maps of your niece’s or nephew’s classroom is a great conversation
starter and works on memory and processing skills. Preschoolers can draw
the map with an adult. Ask them questions about what they do in their
rooms. You might even ask his or her parents to take photos of different
areas of the room to help you with the drawing. You can help them make a
plan about what they might like to do the next time they are there.
Older kids can create and label the map on their own. Let them explain
to you what they do in each area of the room and what rules there are in
each area. Where do they prefer to spend their time?3. Go on a Letter or Color Hunt: I
like to start this game with toddlers to support word recognition. Can
you find the baby doll? Where is the bumpy ball? You can also work on
directionality and following directions. Can you put the car on top of
the chair? As children get a little older, ask them to find you
something blue or point out an L. Make it trickier by adding steps: find
something red, and put it under the table; then, bring me something
green. Older preschoolers and grade-schoolers can use this game for
phonemic awareness. What can you see that starts with a /p/? (Make the
sound of the letter, rather than identifying the name of the letter.)
For each game, let your niece or nephew take a turn being the leader.4. Decorate A Pumpkin: Babies
can explore the texture, weight, smell, size and—let’s be
realistic—taste of a pumpkin simply by having it in their play space.
Toddlers will love using Cray-Pas or face paint crayons to decorate
them. Older toddlers can peel stickers for decoration, and preschoolers
will love using paints. Children in elementary school can be supervised
and helped, as needed, making a plan and carving a pumpkin with a safety
knife. Remember that making a plan before any of these projects really
helps to enhance the experience and teaches your nieces and nephews
another important skill.5. Taste Test Apples: Which
type of applesauce does your niece or nephew like best? Which apple
cubes make a toddler happy? What colors are they drawn to? Toddlers can
smell and taste the apples while they’re whole and once they’re cut. Let
them watch while you use an apple slicer. Older toddlers and
preschoolers can help cut the apples and make a graph of which ones they
like. This is a great way to introduce new foods. Certainly, children
love apple picking for a fall activity, but even going to pick out a few
varieties at the grocery store can be fun! Children in elementary
school can chart the different types of apples and use descriptive
language to explain the texture, taste, and their preference.As
you engage with the children in your life, ask questions and encourage
them to do the same. Show that you value investigation, and model how to
find answers. Give younger children the opportunity to explore the
world around them. Watch closely for their reactions, and you’ll gain
some insight into the kiddies in your life. Most importantly, whichever
activity you choose, whether one of these or one of your own, have fun!
_______
Dana Rosenbloom, M.S. Ed, is owner and therapist at Dana's Kids,
a group dedicated to providing support and education for families with
both typically-developing children, as well as those with special needs,
who are struggling with developmental challenges.
Photo: Maria Sbytova Originally published: October 1, 2012
Republished: October 1, 2018