Playing is learning.
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Naming a leaf is also getting to know the beautiful trees that surround us. When children start to understand that there are families of plants in the natural world, they can feel yet another connection. "I have a family too!" Gather leaves and show them to each other. You can ask, “What is your name? What is my name, (Momma’s name etc?) What is the name of the tree that this leaf came from? Maple. Do you have a maple leaf in your pile? Do you have a maple tree in your yard…neighborhood…park?” 
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Children are always delighted with the work of Andy Goldsworthy: https://www.ecodisciple.com/blog/leaf-on-leaf-stone-on-stone/ Why not have fun doing something similar? As you work, name the different colors. What colors do green leaves turn in the fall? (Note for caregivers: what’s really happening is that photosynthesis is stopping and chlorophyll production ends, uncovering the yellows and reds that are already in the leaf.)  Counting can be play too. Have the children collect acorns and then count them. Teach skip counting, starting with 2's, 5's, and 10's. If they enjoy it, they'll see how quickly they can count a pile. The best math for little people is to just count. Here a little person was very proud of her collection of tiny pine cones and counted them again and again.  After you've read through Autumn in the Forest once, read it again teaching the children the sounds of the animals: honk, honk for the geese, ribbitt ribbit for the frog then SLAP for the tail of the beaver, the high keening of a hawk, the chirp-chirpping of a chipmunk or squirrel, the snoring of a sleeping bear and finally, the SILENCE of the weasel, (nice way to end.) Be sure to use your silence gesture after each sound. I use a palm down sliding gesture. (The kids will love watching you as the "conductor" and will probably do a lot of honk-honking outside later.) Practice first.  |
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