Apr 19

Apr 19 Announcing Autumn

Mother Nature isn’t really following the rules. While the rest of us bunker down and are living quietly, confined by all sorts of rules and restrictions, she is out there “doin’ her thang”. In recent weeks she’s announced Autumn in all its finery - infusing sultry afternoons with golden light and painting trees in a blaze of colours. Today was the most glowing sunshiny day and as I took a short walk this afternoon and sniffed the unmistakable scent of distant fireplaces, there was no mistaking the change of seasons.

We’re all isolating at home and doing our best to stay safe during this strange COVID-19 health crisis. Each of us has a responsibility to ourselves and to others, and we know that our individual behavior has a real impact on the whole community. It’s been so encouraging to learn that by doing our bit we have, so far, kept community infections in Victoria at a controllable level.

But I really hope that you’re managing to get out of the house for a daily walk. It can be so tricky with kids, as they’re not permitted to use playground equipment, and we must basically stay on the move. But walking has such important benefits for both our physical and mental well-being that if we can make walking a part of our daily routine, then we really should. As the sun warmed my shoulders this afternoon I felt it was almost possible to forget about all those big problems for a while.

I scooped up some Autumn leaves from nature strips as I strolled - once you start keeping a look out it’s often amazing how many you find. I’ve always loved using them with kids for craft, as they’re naturally a sensory and lovely resource. I have posted Autumn crafts before, and here are some reminders of ways you might encourage your kids to get creative with Autumn leaves and celebrate the new season.

How to celebrate Autumn with children:

Let them kick through some fallen leaves, or pick some up and toss them in the air.

Stash a plastic bag in your pocket, or a lunchbox under the pram, to collect any colourful leaves and interesting cones and seedpods that you find on your daily walk.

Bring home your collection and keep them somewhere dry. If you store leaves flat in a folded newspaper they’ll last for ages.

Let children play with their Autumn stash: crunch then, colour them, count them, sort them into colours, sizes or shapes, whatever takes their fancy.

Make a leaf rubbing by placing leaf under paper and rubbing on top with crayon.

Provide a gluestick or some tape and paper to make an Autumn collage.

Glue some leaves to a page then draw some details around them to transform them.

Paint on the leaves and change their colours. Brush or roll paint over a leaf placed on paper to make a leaf stencil. Then press the wet painty leaf onto the paper and press it to make a leaf print.

Make a gorgeous forest crown by sticking or stapling leaves onto a looped strip of cardboard, wrapped in kitchen foil.

Cut the centre from a paper plate, glue leaves all around the edges, and hang it up to make an Autumn wreath.

Run a few leaves and cellophane scraps through the laminator to make an Autumn sun-catcher.

Offer paint, tape and pencils, and there’s no telling where your child’s creativity will take them.

You’re bound to find an easy paint palette in your recycling bin.

Sometimes thoughts of big scary issues can be kept at bay by focusing on simple lovely pleasures. Today I felt very grateful for simple things - the sun, the sky, and the beauty of an unfolding Autumn.

Stay safe & well.
Liz x