Montessori is about immersing the child in rich and holistic experiences. With the season changing from summer to autumn, it is the perfect opportunity to teach the children about what happens in nature to the trees. Going on a nature walk and exploring the park or forest is a wonderful experience for the child/ children to observe how the leaves are changing colours from green to yellow to orange to brown. This will not only reinforce the love of nature for the child but will also allow the child to explore his or her surroundings and have fun with the family collecting leaves. It also gives a chance for the parents/ grandparents or older siblings to discuss with the child about how the weather changes along with the season.
In the Montessori setting, the nature table allows the child to touch, explore, and discover the items related to nature. Having autumn seasonal items such as fallen leaves, pine cones, chestnuts, and other autumn nature resources is a wonderful way to discuss with the child about the autumn season. The children also learn about the different types of fruits and vegetables harvested such as pumpkins and corn as well as when the season changes.
There are a variety of activities that can be done in the classroom as well as at home such as collecting leaves, fruit, and vegetables, leaf stamping with the autumn colours (yellow, orange, red and brown), pumpkin carving, weaving a placemat, making Jack O’ Lanterns arts and crafts, sorting foliage collected from the nature walk, nature tray etc.
“There must be a provision for the child to have contact with nature; to understand and appreciate the order, the harmony, and the beauty in nature.”
-Maria Montessori-
