The days are getting shorter, the mornings are cooler and you just might see a few leaves already beginning to change. All this means autumn is here! Autumn is a time of rapid seasonal changes which can be fascinating for young children. Watching the leaves change color and fall, feeling the weather shift and noticing all the changes in animal behavior give kids a first-hand account of the sequence of a year. Experiencing the patterns of the seasons is another way children understand order - a critical narrative skill for communication. Be intentional about exploring autumn with your little ones. Talk about the changes you see every day. Watch squirrels and birds and point out different behaviors. Once leaves start turning, go on leaf hunts to find as many colors as you can. And always include what happened before - summer - and what will happen next - winter. The Library has a great booklist about Autumn full of books to help your conversations. You can also enjoy these great books about season changes by Kenard Pak.  

Questions or need more ideas? Email racingtoread@thelibrary.org