— August 21, 2024

Each species of plants have unique leaves that assist in identifying it. Whether that plant is poisonous or beneficial. If beneficial, what uses can it serve? Is it useful for medicinal purposes, creating beauty, or providing fruit? The first step to all of this is being able to identify the plant. Sadly, this skill is being lost with the younger generations as they disconnect from the natural world. However, as homeschooling parents we have the opportunity and responsibility to instill this important knowledge in our children. Even if we do not have the knowledge ourselves.

How does a parent do this if they are unfamiliar with the plants themselves? Through nature walks, books, and technology we are able to make the natural world easily accessible for our families and ourselves. And most importantly, by interacting with nature, we make it approachable for our little ones. This week of lessons encourages our children to observe and interact with nature in different ways.

Ll is for Leaves will encourage your child to find the usefulness and beauty of nature. To check out the leaf themed book suggestions, coloring pages, and printables click the button below.

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Leaf activities for preschoolers.

Monday highlight: Train car wall display printable and hunting for leaves.

In our morning basket were leaf themed books such as Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson and Leaves by David Ezra Stein. There are many more beautifully written and timelessly illustrated children’s books, featuring leaves, to choose from. As well as educational children’s field guides, such as Trees, Leaves, and Bark by Diane Burns, that I encourage you to use this week for the older preschooler.

The Train Car Wall Display printable always kickstarts are week. Mick colors in the new letter, “Ll,” on the train car. There is also a caterpillar or acorn display available if the train does not inspire your child. After Mick colors in the letters he gets to hang it up with the rest of the letters attached to the train engine. Then, we sing through the alphabet from “A” to “L,” pointing to each corresponding letter. We dance and sing to the rest of the alphabet song.

After that it was time to go on a nature walk to collect leaves. The mission was to collect leaves of all different shapes, ribbing, margin, veining, color, and size. Most importantly, this simple walk provoked conversations pertaining to which plants are safe to touch, differences in foliage, and the many varieties of leaves. Try to collect at least two of each leaf you come upon since there will be two separate art activities using the leaves.

After returning from the walk, split your collection in half, and place in separate plastic bags.

Tuesday highlight: Leaf rubbing.

The next day we began with Morning Basket and reviewed using the wooden alphabet puzzle. Only give your preschooler the letters he or she has learned, “A-L” to keep their energy and memory focused.

Immediately after review I grabbed one bag of leaves, crayons, and paper to do the planned leaf rubbing art activity. Mick and my eldest, 5 years old, were very excited to use the leaves collected the day before. 

I had to help Mick hold the leaf and paper in place while he rubbed the crayon over top. My 5 year old was completely independent rubbing the leaves and took this art activity a step further by drawing pictures to make it a story. 

Wednesday highlight: Painting with leaves.

Wednesday morning I had Mick practice patterns with the drum printable from Dd is for Drum instead of reviewing the alphabet. You can access that math activity for free here. Today’s primary goal was another art activity using the rest of the leaves we collected.

Once again, the materials were quickly assembled and I demonstrated painting and stamping the leaves on construction paper. My 2 year old also joined in on this activity enjoying the messiness of the paint. I supplied the boys with a coloring page from Ll is for Leaves after they had been painting for a while. This allowed them to continue painting with the same theme.  

Thursday highlight: Leaf themed memory matching game.

Morning basket and the wooden alphabet puzzle began our Thursday. Then I gave Mick markers and his second coloring page. While he colored I cut out the leaf themed memory matching game. After he finished his coloring page, Mick, his older brother, and I played the memory game. 

Friday: Seasons of a tree finger painting.

Usually Thursdays are the last day of Letter of the Week because Fridays are when we attend nature group. However, the group did not meet this week and so we read our leaf themed books and reviewed the alphabet using the Train Wall Display. 

Then, another art activity paired with poetry encouraged us to consider how leaves change throughout the year. With each tree we read a poem, discussed the difference of the four seasons, how the trees change as the temperature changes, and how each season has its own beauty. The free printable can be accessed at here. 

Creative activities for 3-5 year old’s using leaves and more. 

These art activities encourage our children to observe and interact with nature and appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of the natural world around them. Ll is for Leaves is a part of an entire preschool curriculum. Each week has its own theme with activity ideas, coloring pages, book suggestions, and printables. Entirely free at the button below. Coloring pages, printables, and more are included with each letter of the alphabet. Check it out at the button below. It’s Letter of the Week reimagined for homeschool.

A sample preschool schedule.