Spooky Expectations + Celebrations
October can be a spooky time of year so stay open and listen to your child's thoughts or concerns with empathy and curiosity. It's also a time of year when so many engaging seasonal events are happening!
Some of our favorite ideas: explore nature and notice the new colors, smells and feels. It’s time to clear off the summer nature table to make space for the fall treasures. Notice the differences, notice the color and what happens to the leaves after they sit for a few days. What new smells are in the air and what else is new outside?
Leaf art: sun catchers, paint the leaves, glue them onto sticks and add some eyes.. we've been sharing a ton of leaf activities on IG stories
Head out to the pumpkin patches to see some animals, gourds and drink some fresh pressed cider if possible - some of the farms have some freshly made or for apple picking and other fall goodies.
Pumpkins and gourds - pick up the little ones for them to explore and paint, draw on, sticker, tape, add foam shapes like eyes, paint them with black chalkboard paint and then use chalk, stamp them.. all ideas for process art and keep in mind we aren't looking for a final product. The fun can go on and on as kids may want to return to the same pumpkin and add more or wash it off and try again.
Play doh/clay rolling and making pumpkins or just playing with some orange colored clay. Try adding a scent like pumpkin pie spice. Add your treasure from your nature walk into the clay to make some sculptures.
Sensory bins: fun fall spin would be using corn kernels or even the pumpkin guts and seeds
Change in diet: warming foods, teas and drinks. What new smells are in the kitchen? Are you making broth yet?
Brew some elderberry snacks and drinks? Time to get cozy!!
Notice the darkness is beginning to return. Light the fires and read some books nearby, light candles, turn on the salt lamps or small lights and string lights. Kids love to have mood lighting ; ) And it helps us welcome the darkness and know that winter is on its way.
Seasonal books - on Halloween (talk a lot about Halloween so they have context and can set expectations to reduce an accidental fright):
https://pocketofpreschool.com/halloween-books-for-little-learners/
https://www.readbrightly.com/not-so-scary-picture-books-for-halloween/
Some to grow on: https://www.whatdowedoallday.com/diverse-halloween-books/ and https://www.whatdowedoallday.com/halloween-picture-books-about-self-esteem/
If you're seeking Pagan rituals and story, this one looks promising: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/paganfamilies/2013/10/picture-books-for-pagan-families-samhain/ And getting ready for winter solstice: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/paganfamilies/2013/12/picture-books-for-pagan-families-winter-solstice/
Some of my favorite art materials:
We talked a bit about Halloween and trick-or-treating and costumes. My best advice is to keep it simple and prepare well if you're going out. This can be a very scary and over stimulating holiday for little ones. If you do go out, find daytime events geared for little kids or take a stroller walk early while it's still light to see the decorations and the costumes. Candy doesn't really need to be a part of the holiday until later - they're so young still. Stickers and other non-candy treats can be just as exciting at this stage. Be prepared that some kids don't want to wear a costume at all or on demand so don't invest too much and be disappointed. Group or family themed costumes can be a fun ritual! Kids do enjoy it when adults get dressed so long as it's not too scary or too crazy so they don't recognize you. We also explored candy alternatives like the Switch Witch or candy swapping with other approved treats.
Those of you into Waldorf this is a fun time to join the Pumpkin Path at Live Oak or find a family lantern walk.
Apple Hill and other local farmers offer many harvest events and mazes to explore.
How will you set your family's seasonal backdrop? Keep in mind the more nourished and joyful you feel, the more magical and enjoyable for your child. We can let go of seasonal stress in favor of seasonal comfort.