Trace pumpkin shape on orange paper and let the child cut out

Spell the name on the pumpkin with help of child

Divide pumpkin into parts by letters of name

Have the child cut out pieces and past them onto black paper in correct order to spell name

To expand on this activity, make this a pretend play activity and actually pretend that you are going to the pumpkin patch! You can have your child be the worker at the pumpkin patch or the person who is buying the pumpkins. Make some fake money for your child to “pay” with. In the materials section, there’s some little visuals for your “pumpkin patch.” During the play, focus on back and forth interactions and being able to maintain the play theme!

Gather materials

Ask your child about their senses (where is your nose, mouth, ears, hands/fingers, etc.)

Ask your child if they can smell anything (model sniffing with your nose) ask your child if they can hear anything (model touching/listening with your ear, etc.)

Helping your child process and engage in their environment can help them become more present and learn new things!

Asking them questions like; what do you see? and making comments to point out objects like, I see ___!

While pointing at that object, or stopping to take a closer look at something your child seems interested in can help them feel more connected while also introducing them to new things!

Gather materials

Cut out different mouths and eyes for emotions (happy, sad, mad, silly, angry)

Have your child choose which eyes/mouth they want their pumpkin to have

Help your child glue on/decorate their paper plate into a pumpkin

Monster walks: walking forward while taking big, heavy, and loud stomping steps

Skeleton walks: walking forward with very quiet and light steps

They may need help by you demonstrating the difference between the two first or doing it with them

Give them verbal reminders for, “Big stomps! Let me hear your monster feet!” vs. “Quiet feet! Don’t let me hear your skeleton steps!”

To do: wash hands! Carve pumpkin, save the pumpkin seeds, wash and rinse. Preheat the oven to 350* F, melt butter and add salt, toss the seeds in the butter, spread across a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 35 minutes or until golden brown.

Reference

Walk around the neighborhood, point out all the festive decorations like pumpkins, scarecrows, spiders, ghosts, witches, etc.

Tissue Paper Pumpkin Craft: Draw a pumpkin on a white piece of paper, glue pieces of green and orange tissue paper to cover the pumpkin. Use tissue paper to request “more orange/green paper”, discuss pumpkins, their shapes and how they can be different sizes.

Jumping spider craft: Make a “jumping” spider and have your child follow directions to complete the craft. Have your child request for “more jumping”, “jumping up”, “jumping down”, etc.

Paper plate ghost craft: Make a ghost using paper plate, marker and white streamers. Target receptive language by following directions to complete the craft. Target expressive language to encourage language; “more streamers”, “ghost says boo!”, “ghost flies up/down”