I never tire of noticing the amazing shades of plum, gold, tan and auburn in autumn leaves as they fall to the ground to sleep, and it’s a privilege to share their beauty with my granddaughters too.
Autumn leaves are often scooped up in delight by a child to be thrown in the air and watched as they fall to the ground in an autumn rain.
Some children love burrowing within mounds of leafy hills where they breath in the musky, damp scent as they huddle, waiting to be found by an over zealous sibling or sniffed out by the family pet.
I was eager to step outdoors and explore autumn leaves with Little pumpkin so we set out to collect autumn leaves to display on an Autumn Leaf Board.
Autumn Leaf Display Board
Materials:
- Cardboard trimmed to fit an A4 sized page.
- A4 White Paper
- Cellotape
- Scissors
- Autumn leaves
Method:
- Place white paper onto the A4 sized cardboard.
- Cut contact to fit the A4 cardboard with a boarder of 1.5cm
- Place cardboard and paper on the smooth side of the contact paper.
- Pull the contact sides away from protective covering and stick the boarder down with cellotape.
- When you’re ready to create the seed display board, remove the protective covering to reveal the sticky contact board.
- Display autumn leaves on the board. Can you create an autumn garden, house or car with the leaves?
Discussion Points:
- Discuss the seasons of the year; autumn in particular.
- Talk about how the colours of the seasons change.
- Discuss seasonal weather conditions and how we dress in each of them.
- Talk about seasonal activities and food.
- Find out why leaves change colour here.
Autumn leaves of the Claret Ash tree made perfect ‘plant stems and leaves’ for the flowers Little Pumpkin (3yrs) was creating.
Little Peanut (18mths) wanted to join in our fun, so we made her a tiny board which she stuck her leaves on. She was delighted to be included in the autumn project and was curious with the sensory textures.
It’s amazing how the imaginations of little ones can create images with the supplies given to them. You never know what the end product will be, and you’re nearly always surprised and delighted with their projects.
We cuddled on the couch and read an Autumn book and here’s one for you to listen to.
Have you explored autumn leaves this season? If not, don’t let the season pass without stepping out doors to delight in their wonderful shades of autumn colour.
What autumn activities have you been up to lately? Show me at Nature Science for Aussie Families HERE.
Take a look at our Seed Display Board HERE.
If you’d like to explore the autumn season with a friend, then consider the Autumn/Winter Nature Study Guides and invite me along to walk with you through the season.
Engage your senses on a nature watch walk and become enraptured by the amazing world surrounding you. Forage for mushrooms (or don’t!) and admire their uniqueness.
Watch as the leaves turn golden as the season turns chilly and explore ponds for turtles.
Learn about Giant Earthworms while digging up your own to investigate. Laugh at the Lyrebird’s version of remixing songs and you’ll be amazed with ancient moss facts.
Venture out in the dark to observe possums and enjoy wattles as they begin to blossom.
The Australian Nature Study Guide is a Charlotte Mason based program designed to encourage nature exploration through the seasons. The themes we’ll explore in the Autumn/Winter Guide are:
- Nature Watch
- Field Mushrooms
- Autumn Tree Study
- Long-necked Turtles and Autumn Pond Study
- Giant Earthworms
- Superb Lyrebird
- Moss
- Winter Solstice
- Possums
- Wattles
Investigate the secret habitat of leaf litter. Discover backyard visitors like the praying-mantis and echidna. Explore rocks, soil ecosystems and the weather while observing migration and torpidity as the season changes. Prepare for a flush of spring flowers by planting autumn bulbs and enjoy autumns fruits by baking apple pies.
Come along! Walk with me.
