October is the heart of the fall harvest season. Use fruits and vegetables that are being harvested at this time for a simple painting activity. Slice apples, squash and pumpkins in half and remove any seeds. Place bowls of different colors of paint on tables where the children can reach. Have the children dip the fruit or vegetable flesh-side-down into the paint and then press it onto construction paper like a stamp. Encourage the children to experiment with different colors and to use all the fruits and vegetables in their design.
Read fall-theme books during reading time that will engage preschoolers and interest them in all things fall. Age-appropriate books include "A Fall With Bobo" by David M. Glaeser Jr., about the fall activities of an adventurous little dog; "Fall Leaves Fall!" by Zoe Hall, in which two siblings express their love for the fall season; and "Mouse's First Fall" by Lauren Thompson, about a little mouse and his friend discovering fun fall activities.
For this activity, have the children paint mini paper plates orange and set them aside to dry. Help the children cut out face shapes from yellow craft foam for their pumpkin, such as triangles or circles for the eyes and nose, and a smile. Provide green craft foam for children to cut out oval-shaped leaves and brown craft foam for the stem. When the paper plates are dry, the students can assemble the face shape and glue it onto their paper plate pumpkin. Have the children flip over their plates and glue the stem and two leaves onto the back of the plate at the very top so that it is sticking out. Put the paper plate pumpkins on a bulletin board or have the children take their craft home.
During circle time, teach the children interactive fall-related songs such as a fall version of "Wheels on the Bus." This one focuses on leaves: "The leaves on the trees come tumbling down, tumbling down, tumbling down, the leaves on the trees come tumbling down, all through the town." Other verses can start with "The leaves on the tree are red, red, red" and "The leaves on the tree go swish, swish, swish." Another interactive song is sung to the tune of Frere Jacques: "Mr. Pumpkin, Mr. Pumpkin, big and fat, big and fat, I am gonna eat you, I am gonna eat you, just like that, just like that."