Fall is a beautiful season of change. It is the peak of transition, harvest and preparation. And as our earth readies for winter, we, too, must prepare our homes and our families for a new time of year.

This is such an exciting time.

As many of us have experienced with the new school year, change is an important time to be open and honest with your child about what to expect. But it’s also an invitation to explore and pursue the newness! Ask your child, “What do you notice around you that is different? What emotions are you experiencing during this time?” And, most importantly, ask yourself, “How can I help them learn?”

Begin with stories. Children have such a genuine curiosity for a world around them that we are so familiar with. Although we admire the bright colors changing on the leaves, children might notice them falling to the ground and wonder why or how. This is an opportunity to connect.

This is a time to tell stories.

The Autumnal Equinox happens every September when the sun shines directly on the equator. The word equinox means “equal night,” and when the Autumnal Equinox occurs, our lengths of day and night become nearly equal — around 12 hours each. This also means that from now until the Winter Solstice — the beginning of winter — our days will continue to get shorter. There will be less sunlight during the day, and our weather will turn colder as well.

When you ask them to grab a jacket on their way to school, explain that we wear warmer clothes in the fall and into the winter. We wear long pants and long sleeves, and soon we will need hats and gloves to keep warm. This is all part of the transition — the changing of the seasons.

And it’s a magnificent time to explore. Leaves start turning colors before falling off from deciduous trees. This is why autumn is often referred to as fall! Apples are also falling from trees, a fall fruit you can pick with your child at the orchard. And don’t forget to pick out some pumpkins from the patch as well, a very popular crop used in baking and fun this time of year.

Children will also love to know that, just like us, animals are preparing for winter, too. As we harvest our crops in the fields, animals begin to store food in their nests or fat on their bodies.

Take time with your child to discover the beauty that unfolds during this finite time. Appreciate the colors of the sky, the nip in the air, and the validation that our earth is taking care of us. And give thanks.

About the Author

Angela Tewalt is a writer, storyteller and mother to two boys. She shares parenting stories and inspiration in Guidepost Parent.

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