Leaves are everywhere in autumn and all children, whether in urban or rural settings, can catch them, collect them, feel them, smell them, kick them about and generally enjoy them. This makes the theme of leaves an ideal one that provides children with a wide range of experiences as they explore and investigate the natural world. Support and guidance from adults can help children make the most of these experiences and enhance their learning.
Awake children's interest in leaves by suspending an autumn leaf mobile near an interactive display of different leaves. Laminate some of the leaves so that they retain their colour for a while. Encourage families to contribute to the leaf collection, and use a range of textures for the signs and notices so that adults can draw children's attention to them. Use the notices to involve the whole community - for example, 'These are leaves from the tree that grows outside Hamish's house'. Make sure that the displays are at child height and that the children are involved in putting them together and adding to them on a daily basis.
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