September brings the shift from summer to autumn. To celebrate, decorate with fall colors such as orange, red and brown. Add colored leaves and fall vegetables such as pumpkins and squash. Teach the children about the four seasons as well as changes in the environment around them. Use coloring pages featuring acorns, leaves and other symbols of fall. If you have access to an outdoor area with trees, let the daycare students gather fallen leaves.
Grandparents Day is Sept. 12. Ask each parent to provide their child with a picture of their child with their grandparents. Use these pictures for arts and crafts, such as creating a frame for the picture with Popsicle sticks. Or use the photographs as decoration around the classroom. Teach the children about family structure and the importance of family. Coordinate a classroom party for your students and their grandparents. Read story books that involve grandparents such as "Dear Juno" by Soyung Pak or "Grampa's Corner Store" by Dyanne DiSalvo-Ryan.
September 5-11 is Children's Safety Week. Decorate with stop signs, traffic lights, orange cones and other safety paraphernalia. Teach children simple safety lessons such as look both ways before crossing the street, don't talk to strangers and always wear your seat belt. Read "Watch Out for Banana Peels and Other Sesame Street Safety Tips" to your class during story time. Practice basic safety lessons for the classroom.