Saturday is the first day of Autumn. While it doesn’t quite feel like fall yet here in the San Francisco Bay Area, I know the seasons will begin to change soon. This is a great time to head outdoors with your child to look for the first signs of fall. This walk can be taken just about anywhere… around your neighborhood, through your local park, or in your backyard. You may wish to make more of an event out of it, heading to a botanical garden or a nearby farm.
Allow your child to lead the walk. Give them the space and time to discover Autumn on their own. Explore the season with all senses, not just sight. Does Fall feel different from Summer? How does it smell and sound?
Depending upon where you live, here are a few things your child might notice:
- Colors – in the trees, on the hills, on the ground
- Leaves in motion – falling to the ground or blowing in the wind
- Leaves on the ground
- A chill in the air
- Acorns or other nuts on the ground
- Migrating birds. See them? Hear them?
- Scent… does the air small different?
- How does the air feel? Colder? Dryer?
- Flowers. Is anything blooming? If so, what?
- What’s growing in the garden?
- Notice fruit trees. What is ripe now?
- Changes in the weather.. notice the pattern for your area (wind, fog, rain)
- If walking through a neighborhood, notice the seasonal decorations.
- Observe water levels in creeks, rivers, ponds, and lakes.
- Notice wildlife. What animals do you see? What are they doing?
- The signs of fall vary greatly by region. What’s unique to your area?
After the walk, you may want to enjoy a seasonal treat, such as apple cider or pumpkin bread.
Have fun!
hike.wander.wonder 
Reblogged this on Sylvabiota and commented:
Quoted from this great post by Nature Mom: “Allow your child to lead the walk. Give them the space and time to discover Autumn on their own. Explore the season with all senses, not just sight.” A great way to encourage little sylvans to fully experience the environment, not just pass through it. Read Nature Mom’s list of things to suggest your child observe and experience. And to suggest to YOURSELF!
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Thank you for reblogging. 🙂
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“Allow your child to lead the walk. Give them the space and time to discover Autumn on their own. Explore the season with all senses, not just sight.”
Linda, I love this advice and your list of ideas for things to observe with all the senses. I also admire your commitment to being out in nature not just now and then, but every day with your son. He is a fortunate boy.
Your entire blog is terrific, not only for the published content, but for its design / layout. I don’t have kids, but I will send them here (and parents and grandparents).
-Dennis Koenig (a.k.a. Sylvan Walker)
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Thank you so much, Dennis! I love what you’re doing on your blog, too.
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We did this every year with our kids – and my memories of seeing the seasons pass as they grew up before my eyes are so precious. Great tips here!
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Thanks, Melody. Our kids grow up too fast…
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Do they ever! *sigh*
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This is my favorite time of year and we love to take walks. The kids always come home with a pocket full of acorns. I could do without those!
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Yes, the acorns in the pockets can be overwhelming!
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My boy Max has to collect leaves for a project for school. So I plan on combining the leaf collection, with your “signs of fall walk”.
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Great idea!
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