Leaves & Learning

The days may be getting shorter, the weather a little wetter, definitely a bit colder and yes, a lot muddier but despite all of this – I absolutely love the start of Autumn.  

The stunning explosion of colour in the trees as the leaves change from greens through yellow, oranges, reds and browns is just breathtaking.  We are visually blessed as we look around us. The intricate branches just starting to peek through as they wait for the last leaf to fall so that they can have their time to shine. 

And then we look down at our feet and see the array of autumn treasures that are just waiting to be found on the ground – gorgeous, glossy, brown conker seeds with their spiky green cases, acorns in their little snug caps, woody pinecones with their seeds safely stored inside and the graceful spinners or helicopter seeds that float so delicately from their sycamore trees. 

Understanding the world  

When the trickle of falling leaves become a flood then this is when the children really start to have some fun.  “It’s raining leaves” is a regular comment I hear.   Try standing under a tree on a windy day and watch the leaves fly off the branches and float to the ground.   Why do leaves fall down?  Why do they go crispy? Why don’t all trees lose their leaves.  Children can also learn about photosynthesis, the way that a tree makes food through collecting sunlight in the leaves.  As a mum to a scientist, I know that children are never too young to learn about science!  So many questions to discover.  

Physical development 

It is always hard to resist a pile of dried leaves – you just have to kick and stomp your way through. I know that I can’t. And then you do it again and again until the pile of leaves no longer resembles that pile. Jumping into a pile of leaves, running or even throwing leaves into the air is fun and exhilarating.  This is great for children’s physical development, as there is no right or wrong way. The sensory benefits are endless – sights, sounds and smells. Touch is a wonderful way for children to experience the different textures of the leaves – soft, crunchy, smooth, spiky or rough.    

Communication & Language 

The sounds that leaves make when you crunch them in your hand or stomp on them, talk about the first letter of the sound – this is a natural way for children to be gently introduced to phonic development.  Which colours are your favourite? Chatting and sharing with friends is a wonderful way to encourage language and confidence at any age. 

Mathematics 

Look at the different sizes of leaves – some are bigger, smaller. Look at the wonderful patterns. How many leaves can you hold in your hand – gentle maths without pressure. 

Literacy  

There are so many wonderful books about Autumn and Leaves, and it is always great to share a book underneath a wonderful old tree.  Expect the odd leaf to float down and land on your head! ‘We are going on a Leaf Hunt’ is very popular here, but there are so many to choose from. 

Expressive Arts & Design 

What can you make with leaves? ….. oh so many things.  The children recently enjoyed making leaf kebabs.  The leaves were collected from outside and pierced with a kebab stick, creating a wonderful array of colour.  Leaf rubbings are another popular way of looking at the differences in leaves. Colour exploration – talking, making a collage or just drawing pictures with autumnal colours. 

So, the next time you see a pile of leaves, don’t hold back, embrace your inner child and jump right in!