Pumpkin Lesson Plans

Fall Poems, Songs & Rhymes

Fall Lesson Plans

Thumbkin Patch

Lesson Plan:  ​

Thumbkin Patch

Age Group:

Mobile Infant
Toddler

Objectives:

Children will:

• increase sensory motor skill.
• explore new vocabulary.
• connect literature to the arts.

​CDA Competency Standard:

II.4.3a

• Activities and materials encourage children to develop their senses.

​a) Sight, sound, smell, taste and touch experiences are encouraged through a variety of developmentally appropriate materials and activities

Materials:

• ​orange, yellow, red and green paint
• white paper
• green yarn
• paint brush
• Book: The Poky Little Puppy and the Pumpkin Patch by Diane Muldrow

Procedure:

1. Begin by reading The Poky Little Puppy and the Pumpkin Patch.
2. Dip thumbs into orange, yellow, or red paint and stamp onto paper.
3. Add stems and curly vines using a paintbrush, marker, or green yarn.
4. Draw tiny pumpkin faces for playful character designs.
5. Arrange thumbprint pumpkins into rows or a full patch scene.

Creative Variations:

• Try stamping with different finger sizes for baby pumpkins vs. larger ones.
• Create “family pumpkins”—children can label their thumbprints with names!
• Attach paper pumpkins to craft sticks for a mini pumpkin puppet farm!
• Classroom patch including teacher pumpkins! Make sure to name everyone and display it prominently. 

Assessment:

• After reading did the children understand more about how and where pumpkins grow?
• Observe and record the child's reaction to a painted thumb.
• Was it enjoyable, did they make a particular sound or any words about the activity?

Note:  Please provide appropriate supervision to the children in your care when completing all activities. You will need to decide what types of activities are safe for the children in your care.  Appropriate and reasonable caution should be used when providing art and sensory experiences for children.  Toddlers require special caution, only use non-toxic materials, and do not allow toddlers to put things in their mouths that are a choking hazard. ​

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Exploring Autumn’s Beauty Through Creative Play

Autumn-themed projects invite children to immerse themselves in the rich colors, textures, and patterns of the season, fostering both curiosity and sensory exploration. By incorporating natural materials like dried leaves, pinecones, acorns, and autumn fruits, children engage their senses while deepening their appreciation for the environment.

​Activities such as leaf printing, nature collages, and pumpkin decorating encourage observation skills, creativity, and an understanding of seasonal diversity. These hands-on experiences also serve as a gateway to discussing seasonal changes and early science concepts, helping children connect nature’s transformations to broader learning themes.