Going on a Fall Walk

As Fall arrives in Benton County, take an opportunity to go on a walk with your small child and talk about the changes that the new season brings. Green leaves change to shades of yellow, gold, orange, and red. Leaves fall to the ground. Animals build shelter for the winter. The air grows crisp and the daylight hours grow shorter. There are so many opportunitites to talk about what you see around you, answer those "why?" questions, add new vocabulary and share seasonal changes and traditions with your child. A cool, rainy day may require a change in how we prepare for a walk outdoors. Our shorts and sundresses retire and make room for raincoats, sweaters, long pants, rubber boots and jackets.

As you share an autumn walk, talk about what is going on around you. What colors and textures do you see? What shapes are found in nature? What are the names of the things your child finds? Is that a pine cone? A street sign? A squirrel?

The following books can be good starting places to discuss the new season with your child:

Apple Farmer Annie by Monica Wellington

Annie the apple farmer saves her most beautiful apples to sell fresh at the farmers' market.

Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell

In preparation for Halloween night, a family visits Mr. Comstock's farm to pick apples and pumpkins

Fall Is Not Easy by Marty Kelley

A tree tells why, out of all four seasons, autumn is the hardest. This one is sure to get some laughs!

Fall Leaves Fall! by Zoe Hall

When fall comes, two brothers enjoy catching the falling leaves, stomping on them, kicking them, jumping in piles of them, and using them to make pictures. Includes a description of how leaves change through the year.

Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert

A man made of leaves blows away, traveling wherever the wind may take him. Lois Ehlert's natural collages offer a surprise and a treat for the eye. Follow this one with a craft of your own leaf man!

Mouse's First Fall by Lauren Thompson

Mouse and Minka experience the delights of nature on a windy autumn day. Recommended for toddlers and preschoolers who have loved the other titles about Mouse by Lauren Thompson.

Tucker's Apple-Dandy Day by Susan Winget

Tucker promises Mother he'll bring home apples from Farmer Sam's Apple Orchard. His family is looking forward to apple pie! But Tucker gets busy helping out his friends— and forgets his promise.
Susan Winget's sparkling fall scenes are a visual treat, and her gentle touch shows Tucker's friends helping him in a most believable way. This endearing story ends happily with a delicious pie and news of Tucker's apple-dandy day. {from Syndetics}