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Learning Together Joyfully:  Welcome back parents, care-givers, grandparents and educators! As kids are settling into school we are now welcoming the signs of fall. The days are getting shorter, the leaves are changing colors, and we are beginning to think about preparing for colder weather. Fall is a great time to cuddle, read with your children, and get outdoors to experience and discuss the changes that Fall brings. One of these changes is the time change where we “fall back” on November 6, 2022, and set our clocks  back one hour. Because life is unpredictable, teaching children adaptability skills and flexible thinking helps them cope with changes, uncertainty and disappointment.  Executive functioning skills allow children to manage aspects of their lives such as paying attention, problem solving, flexible thinking, working memory, self-control, and emotional control including self-regulation. These skills allow children to manage day-to-day tasks, cope with change, stay safe, get things done, stay on task, stay organized, control their impulses and listen when others, including the teacher, are speaking. All children can benefit from teachers and parents incorporating executive functioning skills as they are not something they are born with, they are learned skills. I hope that you will enjoy these activities as you play, learn, grow, together with your children!

Quick Links

Use these links to quickly navigate to specific sections within this blog!

  1. Read and Sing Together
  2. Create together: Puzzles, Crafts, Drawing and Constructing
  3. Explore, Engage & Interact together
  4. Healthy Living: Movement & Nutrition
  5. Reflect: Thoughts of the Day about Learning
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1.  Read and Sing together 📚

With reading comes the opportunity for parents and educators to support children to develop an understanding of the story and to simultaneously apply thinking skills. When children predict what is going to happen at the end of the story, they can be challenged to think of other possibilities. Most stories are filled with opportunities to solve problems where characters find themselves in all kinds of situations and seek solutions to resolve them. Children are familiar with solving problems in their own life. Reading provides an experience for them to discover how others go about solving life’s day-to-day challenges. Reading develops their ability to analyze situations, think about it and act appropriately. Ask children to think and provide solutions to a characters’ problems before reading the end of the story and you will be developing their ability to come up with their own ideas.

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FALL OR AUTUMN BOOKS: As fall is upon us it is time to get excited about this dramatic seasonal change and all things pumpkin!  Fall means trips to the farm, scarecrows, the harvesting of pumpkins and apples, and of course the fiery changing of leaves. Here are some recommended books that you may borrow from your public or school library. You can also enjoy clicking on the links and reading the books together with your children.

townandcountrymag.com
  • Celebrate the beauty of the changing seasons with three stories written by Caldecott Award–winning author Lois Ehlert. While the stories are simple, the artwork is dazzling. The following three stories are perfect model texts for reading and writing lessons for older students. The elaborate and imaginative use of natural objects at the center of each story will inspire nature walks, art projects and curiosity about the changing seasons. After the visual feast of these stories, young nature lovers are sure to see with fresh eyes as they take a nature walk through the woods and create stories of their own.
  • Boo to You! By Lois Ehlert. The mice are having a harvest party and guess who’s not invited? The creepy meat-loving cat that makes them edgy! Watch the mice scramble to create a creature that will make the scary cat scat. Artwork elements to observe: Ehlert’s signature collage artwork evokes the textures, shapes, and colors of autumn. The beautiful marbled papers are a whirlwind of activity. Look closely at the illustrations—the story is a cornucopia of natural materials including ornamental gourds, cranberries, carrots, Indian corn, corn husks, honey locust seed pod, acorn, pumpkin and squash seeds, and pinecones.
  • Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert. With a body made of colorful leaves and acorns for eyes, Leaf Man flutters in the breeze, meandering past animals, over fields of fall vegetables, above rivers and across meadows. Where is he off to? No one’s quite sure, but this much is certain: A Leaf Man’s got to go where the wind blows. Artwork elements to observe: Blazing reds, glowing golds and smoldering oranges set the stage for this fanciful story. The creative overlapping of natural elements create flow and movement as the main character floats along. All of the whimsical characters in the story, including spotted cows, ducks, geese and fluttering butterflies, are delightfully fashioned out of life-size leaves of various shapes, sizes and hues.
Leaf Man
  • Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert. Examine the growth of a sugar maple tree through the eyes of a young child, from a tiny seed in a maple key to a young seedling to a leafy haven for birds to a glorious display of autumnal reds and yellows. Described as a “visual bounty,” this story introduces readers to the life cycle of a tree and includes a reference section in the back that introduces the parts of a tree, how to plant a tree and how to make a bird treat. Artwork elements to observe: Again, Ehlert’s vivid collage artwork takes center stage in this story. Beautifully marbled papers overlap to create colors and textures that bring the characters to life. Take note of the brilliant birds perched on branches, the squirrel lounging in a pile of richly textured brown leaves. Seeds, roots, twigs, fabric and wire are a few of the natural elements creatively incorporated throughout the story.
  • Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak. A young girl walks through the woods and her town, noticing signs that a new season is on its way. This one is perfect for inspiring “Hello Autumn” bulletin boards, art and writing projects, or a walk around the neighborhood to observe all the signs of Fall..
Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn
  • The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming. We love the vibrant, retro illustrations in this story about a squirrel determined to find out what’s happened to his missing leaf
The Leaf Thief
  • In the Middle of Fall by Kevin Henkes. Careful observations highlight the temporary nature of the autumn season. Watch the world transform when fall comes! In the middle of fall, it takes only one gust of wind to turn the whole world yellow and red and orange. Caldecott Medalist Kevin Henkes’s memorable text introduces basic concepts of language and the unique beauty of the fall season. Laura Dronzek’s expressive paintings illuminate pumpkins, apples, falling leaves, busy squirrels, and the transformation from colorful autumn to frosty winter.

In the Middle of Fall

  • Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt. Scaredy Squirrel never leaves his nut tree. It’s way too dangerous out there. He could encounter tarantulas, green Martians or killer bees. But in his tree, every day is the same and if danger comes along, he’s well-prepared. Scaredy Squirrel’s emergency kit includes antibacterial soap, Band-Aids and a parachute. Day after day he watches and waits, and waits and watches, until one day … his worst nightmare comes true! Scaredy suddenly finds himself out of his tree, where germs, poison ivy and sharks lurk. But as Scaredy Squirrel leaps into the unknown, he discovers something really uplifting.
  • Hello Autumn by Shelley Rotner. Gorgeous images and poetic text capture many small details of fall. A simple text and vivid photographs show children the changes in animals, plants, and landscapes that occur during fall.  Leaves change, animals prepare for winter, and people celebrate autumn holidays as the weather gets cooler and the days get shorter.  Suitable for young readers, the simple text introduces a number of important concepts– such as hibernation, migration, and seed dispersal– in clear terms, without too much detail.  For older readers, a brief author’s note at the end expands on several concepts. The authors energetic photographs of diverse children add vitality and warmth to this celebration of the season, capturing the brilliance of the autumn sky, the saturation of autumn leaves, and the joy of kids interacting with the natural world.  
Hello Autumn!
  • Awesome Autumn by Bruce Goldstone. From temperature changes, falling leaves, animal migration, and hibernation, to fall foods, sports, and crafts, this nonfiction title covers everything autumnal! What is autumn all about? This comprehensive celebration of all things autumn will show you! This book explores how leaves change color, animals fly south or get ready to hibernate. People harvest crops and dress up as scary creatures for Halloween. And then there are pickup football games to play, Thanksgiving foods to eat, leaf piles to jump in—all the amazing things that happen as the air turns crisp and cool. There are colorful photographs, lively explanations, and classic craft ideas.

Awesome Autumn

Autumn Leaves Fall From the Trees!
  • The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry; Illustrations by The Fan Brothers.This is a lovely story about an unexpected friendship between a tough scarecrow and a baby crow who needs his help.This gorgeous and poignant picture book about two unexpected friends and the special connection they share. The story reminds us of the comforting power of friendship and the joy of helping others—a tale that will inspire and delight children for generations to come. All the animals know not to mess with the old Scarecrow but when a small, scared crow falls from midair, Scarecrow does the strangest thing.…He saves the tiny baby crow. Soon a loving bond grows between the two unlikely friends. But is it strong enough to weather the changing of the seasons?
The Scarecrow
  • Hungry Bunny by Claudia Rueda. Bunny picks red, juicy apples in the fall so his mother can make apple pie. In this charming sequel to Bunny Slopes, Bunny needs help picking apples for mama’s apple pie. Young readers will delight in using the included red ribbon to help Bunny reach new heights and pick those tasty apples. Children will have fun as they rock the book back and forth and turn it around and around for a unique roller-coaster adventure on Bunny’s way home. Filled with puns and Claudia’s Rueda’s warm sense of humor, this book has jokes for readers young and old, and will have the whole family giggling. Adorable illustrations, interactive narration, an unexpected plot, and a cozy and reassuring ending make this a favorite of adults as well as kids. The bunny’s requests for “help” will delight your youngest listeners. After reading, invite students to act out the story or turn it into a puppet show.
Hungry Bunny
  • The Very Last Leaf by Stef Wade. Lance Cottonwood is the best and brightest of the leaves, but even the top students on the tree have worries. Can Lance conquer his fear of falling and just let go when the time comes for his final exam, or will he let his worries take over? In this funny and encouraging picture book, this best-selling author tells an engaging story and deftly addresses social and emotional struggles many kids encounter each day…feeling anxious, wanting to be perfect, facing fears, etc. These themes combined with illustrator Jennifer Davison’s delightful characters and rich autumnal colors make this a perfect book for the arrival of autumn, or any period of transition in life. This story about a leaf who is afraid to fall to the ground is a great conversation starter for talking about fears your children might also have.
The Very Last Leaf by Stef Wade

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME – November 6, 2022.  This is the practice of moving the clock forward by one hour at the beginning of spring and moving it back one hour in fall. The aim is to make use of daylight longer into the evening by starting daylight an hour later in the morning. The beginning of autumn brings many milestones: crisp weather, changing leaves, jack-o’-lanterns and time change. Younger children struggle more with “falling back” but fortunately, this is easy to address. Consider making some modest changes to your child’s sleep schedule beforehand. Move their bedtime later by 15 to 30 minutes for three days before “falling back,” and then return to the old schedule after the time change. It’s important to take the necessary steps to ensure children’s internal clocks are adjusted adequately as their bodies and minds are growing and their sleep directly impacts their academic performance. Research has proven getting enough sleep is not only vital to academic success, but it also improves students’ immune systems, boosts moods, enhances memory recall, and reduces stress. For this reason, it is important to prepare children in advance for Daylight Savings Time.

BusyMomSmartMom.com
  • Maintain a relaxing bedtime routine:
    • Keep it consistent;
    • Start at about the same time and follow the same steps every night; 
    • Limit screen time before bed;
    • Keep the routine short and sweet;
    • Remember the Four B’s: Bath, Brush, Book and Bed.

BOOKS ABOUT ADAPTING TO CHANGE AND TELLING TIME  Because life is unpredictable, teaching adaptability skills and flexible thinking helps children cope with changes, uncertainty and disappointment. This could include starting school, moving house, changes in relationships, digital advancements and adjusting to daylight saving time. Change opens children up to new experiences and opportunities. As parents and teachers, we help children adjust to challenging situations by giving them the skills to cope with change. The following picture books about adapting to change and flexible thinking are great discussion starters on how to deal with challenges, uncertainty and disappointment. Books about telling time can prepare children for the end of daylight saving time change when they gain an extra hour of sleep.

  • Bear Hug by Katherine McEwan. One bear is facing his first winter alone. Just as his parents taught him, he gathers leaves for his cave and fishes for food in the river. Then, across the babbling water, he meets a mate, and they weather the winter together in a big bear hug. When spring arrives, so does a new bear cub, and the proud parents begin to teach him what they have learned. This is a book about the changing seasons and the small bear learning to change as he grows older and gains independence.
  • Perfect Square by Michael Hall.  In brilliant, innovative collage artwork, Michael Hall illustrates how a happy square transforms itself after facing one challenge after another. Cut into pieces and poked full of holes? Time to become a burbling fountain! Torn into scraps? Grow into a garden! Day after day, the square reinvents itself, from simple and perfect to complex and perfect . . . and always remains happy.
  • Game Time by Stuart Murphy & Cynthia Jabar. This Math Start series book uses a championship soccer game to teach about weeks and days (the time building up to the game), and hours and quarter hours (practicing just before the game and then the ever-present scoreboard’s countdown clock.) The emphasis is definitely on hours and telling time, but integrating days and weeks into the story also helps provide the larger context for time. Time is seamlessly integrated into the storyline as well as shown in the  illustrations and in the speech bubbles of the characters. Considering the popularity of soccer, this book is an appealing choice for many reasons. 
  • It’s About Time! by Stuart Murphy. Children learn how to read clocks as they watch a young boy engaged in various activities throughout the day (including dreaming during the nighttime hours). Each page includes pencil drawings, a short line or two of text, and an analog and digital clock showing the time. The storyline is very simple–it’s just ‘a day in his life’–but for children learning to read clocks, it can be quite helpful. As with all MathStart books, the final spread includes suggested activities to use with this book as well as other activities for teaching children how to read clocks.  

  • I.Q. It’s Time by Mary Ann Frazer. A little mouse named ‘I.Q.’ and his kid classmates have to get everything ready for Parents’ Night , but there isn’t much time left. And…it turns out that’s what their class is learning that day is—time! They learn about all kinds of timekeepers (analog, digital, stopwatch…), about the minute hand and hour hand, about how to read the face of a clock, etc. But with all this learning, will there be TIME for IQ to finish a gift for his parents before Parents’ Night?
  • A Second is a Hiccup by Hazel Hutchings. A charming, kid-friendly way to help kids think about the different facets of time. For example, “A second is a hiccup / The time it takes to kiss your mom / Or jump a rope / Or turn around.” Children will relate to the examples given for seconds, minutes, hours, week, month…We extend the learning by having students brainstorm their own examples as a group, then create their own book in this format. 
  • The Clock Struck One: A Time-Telling Tale by Trudy Harris. A high energy, barnyard take on the classic Hickory Dickory Dock, featuring one determined cat chasing a mouse throughout one long day. And to add to the chaos, more animals and people join in the chase as well. 

SONGS: OCTOBER & NOVEMBER

ABOUT TIME:

PRINTABLE SONG BOOKS

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EXECUTIVE FUNCTION & SELF-REGULATION SKILLS: Executive function and self-regulation skills depend on three types of brain function: working memory, mental flexibility, and self-control which are interrelated and require that they operate and coordinate with each other.

  • Grizzly Bear Grump” is a sensory-based movement song. It helps kids explore feelings of anger and frustration, and then it gives them specific sensory tools to help them self-regulate. It is a great song for kids to pretend to be “grumpy” or “mad” and to learn some things they can do to manage those feelings. The goal? Kids practice these strong feelings + sensory tools when they’re feeling GOOD, and then they have concrete things to try when they’re feeling BAD. Simple, but powerful.
  • Mindful Focus Compilation. A set of videos to help kids practice mindful breathing and other activities to improve focus and promote a feeling of calm.
  • Spot the Differences. A set of five “spot the difference pictures” that can build skills for attention and problem-solving.
  • All About Self-Control Song.

2. Create together: Puzzles, Crafts, Drawing and Constructing 🧩 

There are many advantages to having children involved with puzzles, crafts, drawing and construction. They develop their eye-hand coordination; problem-solving and logical reasoning; spatial awareness; memory and attention span; and self-esteem and teamwork.

UNDERSTANDING TIME ACTIVITIES:

  • Read the book Game Time. Stuart Murphy, the author of Game Time, suggests the following time activities to extend children’s learning:
    • “Have your students note the relationships between various units of time (ie: 1 week = 7 days). This will help children develop a more complete understanding of time (ie: how minutes add up to hours, which add up to days, which add up to weeks, months, years…)
    • Circle a student’s birthday on a calendar, then ask how many months until this date? How many weeks? How many days? Do several students’ birthdays as well as holidays or other noteworthy days. You can also ask how many weeks between birthdays or special days.
    • Before doing a regular classroom activity ask students to predict how long the activity will take. For tasks that take less than a minute (ie: lining up for lunch recess or setting the table at home), predict the duration in seconds. Time the task, then check to see how close the estimate was”. 
richiquote.blogspot.com

FALL ACTIVITIES:

  • Read all three of the Lois Ehlert books: Boo to You!, Leaf Man and Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf in preparation for a Nature Walk.
    • To begin, read these stories and record the students’ observations. Ask them what they see and how Ehlert, the author, uses natural elements, like the wind, to move her stories along. Discuss how her words and artwork complement each other.
    • Before heading outside, set expectations for the gathering of materials. Remind students that their eyes will be their primary tool for this hunt and that quiet concentration will be required for everyone to find the best materials. Bundle up and head outside! Give each student a bag to collect their treasures as this will help clarify size parameters.
    • Now it is time for children to enjoy going on a Nature Walk so they may collect and return with materials to create a picture and write or draw a story. 
      • Back in the classroom, give the students some time to arrange their finds on a piece of paper. Tell them to try a few different combinations before they make a final decision. Let the elements lead them. As they try different arrangements, ask them to picture a story in their head that would complement their artwork.
      • Have students share their arrangement and story line with a partner or their table group. Some students will know exactly where they want to go and some will appreciate brainstorming and feedback from their classmates.
      • Using liquid glue, have students tack down their natural elements. Have a mixture of glue and water (or Modge Podge) available to brush gently over the top. It’s OK if it’s a bit goopy. It will dry overnight.
      • On separate lined paper, have them start a rough draft of their story and then they can complete their final copy.
      • They can mount their story and artwork side by side onto a large piece of colored construction paper to create a fall display. Make sure your author/illustrators sign their pieces so they can admire their creative work. 
  • Have children make and play with these Easy Fall Playdough Recipes.
  • Enjoy these downloadable Shape Play Dough Mats and Shape Word Cards for younger children.
  • Fall Tree Play Dough Invitation – This fall tree play dough invitation encourages children to be creative while developing fine motor skills. It is an excellent open-ended activity for fall! (FunLearningForKids.com)
Fall play dough activity for preschoolers. Make a fall tree with play dough!
  • Create a Fall Tree Alphabet Game Centre where younger children practice learning the alphabet by matching leaves on an alphabet tree. (MomInspiredLife.com)
  • Make a Leaf Maze with young children. With a rake, hands, and gloves, create a very simple maze in no time. (mamapapabubba.com)
  • Create a Fall Sensory Bin as there are so many wonderful colours and textures for little hands to explore in fall.  You may wish to include red, ripe apples, golden sunflowers, orange pumpkins, nuts, leaves, pinecones, and gourds.
  • Read the book The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry with amazing Illustrations by The Fan Brothers and then make a simple Garden Scarecrow – Scarecrows are symbols of fall for many people and they can be a fun craft to make with young children. Kids will be excited to pick out the clothes for a garden scarecrow. You will need two long wooden stakes. Drive one of the stakes into the ground and using the packing tape, affix the other stake to form a cross shape. Have the kids stuff a brown paper bag. Use the tape to close the bag and form a head shape. Kids can draw a face on the bag with markers or crayons. Attach the bag to the top of the vertical stake, securing it with packing tape, to form a head. Stuff an old shirt and pants to create the arms and body of the scarecrow. If needed, use the packing tape to keep the padding in place. Kids can dress the scarecrow by placing the padded shirt and pants onto the stakes. Add the hat and be sure to give your new scarecrow a special name!
  • Turn your slide into a Leaf Slide which is another fun way to use leaves for play before you rake them all up.  This activity gets children moving around and keeping warm on a cool day. Building the slide and playing on it provided lots of exercise, fresh air and gross motor activity skill development.
  • Take your children on a walk where there are oak trees in the neighborhood. Take along some sidewalk chalk, collect leaves and acorns to do some of these fun math activities.
  • Need more easy Leaf Activities? Here are 25 Easy Fall Leaf Crafts for Kids.
  • You may wish to sign up for these 5 free Fall Printable Activities for younger children.
  • Painting with Fall Leaves – after collecting Fall leaves, clip a clothespin to a leaf, provide some fall coloured paint and watch as children create their masterpieces. (FunLearningforKids.com)
  • Create some leaf creatures. Leaf creatures are fun to make and really let kids use their imaginations.. Kids can paint the leaves or leave them, they can add or draw on eyes – it’s fun to see how each leaf will be used. (theresjustonemummy.com)
  • Leaf Printing- This is similar to potato printing but using leaves. Find leaves of all different shapes and sizes. Simply give your child the instructions, and teach them how to dip the leaves, but then leave the rest up to them.  (tanja@empoweredparents.com)
  • Paper Tearings Collage – Give children pieces of coloured paper and glue, and have them tear shapes to cover the page. Tearing is excellent for developing finger strength and fine motor control. (tanyaempoweredparents.co)
  •  Box Construction – This is a great way to teach 3D shapes. Use old cereal boxes, toilet paper rolls, milk cartons, or whatever waste materials you can find in your house. Make sure to include all kinds of shapes and sizes. Provide children with liquid glue, tape, and some outside collections such as twigs. Have them use their imagination and create away. Children love to create toy cars with cool gadgets made out of old moving boxes or build a fort with them as well. Let them decide what they want to create, however big it might be! How cool is this animal made from toilet rolls and egg trays? Learn more about the benefits of construction play and how to encourage it in your classroom or at  home. (tanja@empoweredparents.co)

3. Explore, Engage & Interact together 🌍

EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING ACTIVITIES: The related executive function skills include an ability in adaptable thinking, planning, self-monitoring, self-regulation, working memory, time management, and organization. These skills are essential to a child’s growth and learning and begin in early childhood and continue to progress into adulthood. These skills are important for children to be taught:

  • Adaptable Thinking: Problem-solve and see things from someone else’s perspective.
  • Planning: Think about the future, create a plan of action, and prioritize the different working parts. 
  • Self-Regulation: Restrain from physical or emotional outbursts, remain calm and learn from their mistakes.
  • Working Memory: Retain and store learned information and then later put it to use.
  • Time Management: Switch tasks, organize a schedule, complete tasks on time, and maintain patience.
  • Organization skills: Efficiently keep track of materials and organize thoughts in an orderly fashion.
  • Self-Monitoring: Self-evaluate to understand how well they are performing a task. 
Pathway 2 Success.com
  • The following activities will assist parents and educators to support children’s learning of executive functioning skills:

APPS  – many are for older children:

  • Remind. A communication app that sends reminders to students and families about important dates.
  • MyHomework. A student planner that helps keep track of homework and other assignments.
  • Time Planner. An app that helps make to-do lists and track time on assignments.
  • 2Do. Planning app for project and task management.
  • Train Your Brain. A fun game that helps work on attention skills.
  • Mind Map. An app that connects ideas to create graphic organizers.
  • To Do Reminder. Create simple to-do lists and reminders
Online games and puzzles for executive functioning skills.

ONLINE GAMES:

  • 2-D Shapes Sorting (TopMarks). This online game encourages young children to use organization, planning, and flexible thinking skills as kids sort items into a grid of different categories.
  • Concentration Games (MentalUp). This site has a large selection of games that focus on visual attention, focusing, and memory skills. Very engaging and fun!
  • Jigsaw Puzzles (Jigsaw Planet). Find many different digital puzzles younger kids can work on. Puzzles build skills for planning, attention, and perseverance.
  • Chess (Chess.com). Use this online Chess game to have students play against the computer at different difficulties. Chess is a strategy game that works on planning, flexibility, and perseverance.
  • Spot the Difference (Cool Math Games). Kids can practice attention skills with this spot the difference game.
  • Simon Says (Memozor). A classic game, Simon Says, helps kids remember sequential patterns that work on attention and working memory skills.
  • Word Ladders (Turtle Diary). Word ladders are a vocabulary game that allow kids to build words on each other. These help kids and teens work on metacognition, working memory, and flexibility.
  • Scrabble (Hasbro). A favorite EF game for older children.Scrabble builds on skills for planning, attention, and flexibility. This can also be a great relationship-building game to play with students.

WEBSITES:  to assist children develop executive functioning skills.

  • Countdown timer. Use this website as a stopwatch. This can serve as a visual timer during work sessions, or a tool to help kids work independently. This site has many other timers to check out too!
  • Graphic organizers. Educators or Parents can use this site to create 25 free interactive graphic organizers (such as KWL, Character Map) with Google Draw.
  • Virtual manipulatives. Large selection of virtual manipulatives for math, such as number lines, unifix cubes, and base ten blocks.
  • Virtual manipulatives library. Another large vault of virtual manipulatives and tools to help kids and teens.
  • Learning to code. Tools and sites that help teach kids and teens learn how to program. These activities can be highly motivating for learners to work on. 
parenthub.com.au.

4. Healthy Living: Movement & Nutrition 👭

NUTRITION: Enjoy cooking some of the bounty of Fall such as apples and squash.

  • Old Fashioned Easy Apple Crisp – The Chunky Chef scroll to the bottom of the page for this easy recipe which is made the old fashioned way and is perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce! Pop this apple crisp in the oven and wait for the delicious smell to waft through your house! 
  • Favorite Apple Cookies – bake these cookies with your kids.These cookies are chock full of whole grains, fiber, protein, and healthy fats, but are also just sweet enough to be a treat—and the process is easy enough that the kids can help mix and bake them up.
  • Kids Can Bake: Apple Bread – For this bread that’s chock-full of apples, don’t stray too far from the McIntosh variety they soften just enough without completely disappearing. For little kids: Let them help mix up the apples. For big kids: Teach them how to peel an apple and sift dry ingredients.

MOVEMENT: BRAIN BREAKS: We know that when children exhibit behaviors they can be just the tip of the iceberg. They may be a sign that something bigger is causing the behavior we see. It might be anxiety, worries, sensory needs, communication issues, emotional concerns, social situations, or a myriad other underlying areas that lead to the behavior we see.  Brain breaks are a strategy to help reduce the behavior and move toward focused learning and attention. 

Allstudentscanshine.com
  • Evidence-based Research shows why kids need Brain Breaks:
    • Increases productivity in the classroom;
    • Short, physical activity breaks lead to improved behavior;
    • When children have short bursts of socialization and play they learn to be empathetic, resolve conflicts and manage social-emotional growth and emotions.

FALL BRAIN BREAK & MOVEMENT ACTIVITIES:

Now that Autumn has arrived and the leaves are falling and squirrels are running around finding and hiding acorns and nuts to stock up for the winter, your children may enjoy the following squirrel brain break videos:

5. Reflect: Thoughts of the Day about Learning 💭

EXECUTIVE FUNCTION:

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