From leaf hunts that teach descriptive language to pumpkin-themed stories that build phonological awareness, autumn offers rich opportunities for preschoolers to fall in love with words. In this post, we’ll share how our free preschool near me program at ABC Ault brings early literacy to life through seasonal fun and intentional teaching.

At ABC Ault Child Development Center, we believe literacy is woven into every part of the day, not just reserved for story time. We leverage the natural curiosity sparked by fall, pumpkins, colorful leaves, and crisp air, to build the foundational language skills essential for future reading success.

The ABCs of Autumn Learning

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) highlights that early literacy is best supported through integrated, play-based activities. For 4- and 5-year-olds, the sensory experiences of fall naturally lend themselves to strengthening pre-reading skills like phonological awareness (the ability to hear and manipulate sounds) and vocabulary.

1. Vocabulary Through Sensory Play

When children physically interact with the world, they connect real-life objects with abstract words.

• Activity: The Fall Sensory Bin: We fill bins with dried corn, acorns, and small gourds. As children play, teachers use descriptive language to expand their vocabulary.
  • Instead of: “That’s a leaf.”
  • We say: “That is a shriveled, ochre leaf. Does it feel brittle or smooth?”
• Learning Outcome: This constant exposure to rich vocabulary makes children better listeners and speakers, which are prerequisites for becoming confident readers.

2. Storytelling and Phonological Awareness

Reading aloud is the cornerstone of any quality pre k near me program, but we go a step further by integrating stories into interactive play.

• Real Classroom Example: After reading a book about a squirrel, our small groups gather for a phonological activity. We might say, “Let’s list words that rhyme with fall,” guiding them from ball to tall to small.
• Small Group Attention: Because our groups are intentionally small, our educators can tailor questions and activities to each child’s level, ensuring they grasp concepts like rhyming, alliteration, and initial sounds.

Literacy Woven Into Fall Projects

We intentionally structure fall-themed projects to ensure that art and science naturally support language development.

A. The Descriptive Leaf Hunt (Language & Observation)

During an outdoor activity, children don’t just collect leaves; they become leaf reporters.

• We provide clipboards and ask children to describe their favorite leaf using a full sentence. Teachers record the child’s description (“It is red and pointy like a star”).
• We then read the descriptions back to the child, allowing them to see their spoken words translated into written text. This powerful exercise reinforces the concept that print carries meaning.

B. Pumpkin Name Recognition (Visual Literacy)

• Activity: Before carving or decorating, children use stickers, paint, or yarn to decorate a section of the pumpkin corresponding to the first letter of their name (e.g., “A” gets the stem, “B” gets the top stripe).
• Learning Outcome: By repeatedly seeing and interacting with the first letter of their own name on a highly engaging object, children build crucial visual literacy skills and the first step toward recognizing letters of the alphabet.

Our Trustworthy Approach to Early Education

When evaluating free preschools near me, look for a program that demonstrates intentionality in its play-based curriculum. At ABC Ault, our educators are trained to recognize and act upon child-led curiosity, transforming a simple pile of leaves into a lesson on classification, patterns, and descriptive language.

Our commitment to a holistic educational model means your child will not only be prepared for the academic demands of kindergarten but will also have the essential social-emotional skills for success.

• See how we turn fall fun into lifelong learning through our specialized Preschool Programs.
• Schedule your tour today and see our literacy curriculum in action! Contact Us