October is the 10th month of the year and has 31 days. With it brings change including a decline in temperature and light, as we experience the clock going back by one hour on the 25th of the month. Children are gradually settling into their new classroom and they are not only getting to know each other but also themselves! According to the Aistear Framework, ‘Identity and Belonging is about children developing a positive sense of who they are, and feeling that they are valued and respected as part of a family and community’. As part of this you should encourage the children to think about themselves and who they are. You can encourage the children to do ‘All about Me’ posters with drawings of themselves, their family, their pets, homes, favourite toys and activities. In the October Curriculum Planning Pack we have included some great activities to support the Aistear theme Identity and Belonging.
Autumn is another great theme for classroom discussions and projects in October. There are many changes around us such as the weather and nature. The days are getting a little shorter and colder and the leaves are beginning to fall from trees. Vegetables planted in Spring are now ready to be harvested. Bring the children outside and let them collect some different coloured leaves, acorns and conkers. Talk about the leaves and why they are all different colours. Use the items to make pictures, a nature table or use them as part of an Autumn Sensory bin. The children will love our Autumn activities such as Hungry Squirrels, Leaf Measuring and How Leaves Change Colour - all included in the October Curriculum Planning Pack.
Halloween is of course one of the big themes for October and children will only be too delighted to talk about it and get involved in any class projects that celebrate it. They will love to dress up and talk about their favourite dress up characters and make Halloween decorations to make their classroom look spooky! From spiders and witches to pumpkins and ghosts, there are endless possibilities! Many of the Halloween activities are also educational including improving children's fine motor skills such as our ‘Fine Motor Spider Web Activity’ that is included in the October Pack. Using simple items such as fake spiders and tweezers can help children to control and coordinate their bodies while learning to move and handle equipment all while celebrating Halloween! Check out the new October Curriculum Plan Pack for more details!
- October: The 10th Month of the year, 31 Days, Clocks go back on the 25th October at 2am
- Flowers: Alstroemeria, Gerbera, Iris, Chrysanthemum, Freesia, Magnolia, Calendula
- Weather: Declining temperatures and light, wind, rain
- Birthstone: Tourmaline and Opal
If you are already a member of the Early Years Resource Factory, this new October pack comes free as part of your membership. If you are not already a member you can sign up here. You can also sign up for a trial which will give you access to EYRF for 7 days so that you have a better idea of what the service entails. Click here for your 7 day trial
