By: Angela Paschal, founder of My Little Heart Co.
The air turns crisp. Leaves crunch under little feet. And in the forest classroom, Fern the Fox curls her tail around her paws, watching the sunlight dance through golden branches. “It feels… cozy,” she tells her friends during circle time. And just like that, the morning turns into a lesson about feelings, change, and connection.
“Fern, why are the leaves falling?” Bree asked one chilly morning.
“Because it’s time for the trees to rest,” Fern explained. “Just like we take breaks to feel better, trees need time to get ready for the next season.”
Bree smiled. “So, change can be good?”
“Exactly,” Fern said. “Change can be beautiful.”
Autumn is more than just a change in the weather—it’s an opportunity to help children explore emotions, build empathy, and appreciate the beauty of transitions. By using the sights, sounds, and smells of the season, we can create meaningful SEL (social-emotional learning) moments that stick.
Why Seasonal Themes Work in SEL
Children thrive when lessons connect to real life. Seasonal themes bring a sense of familiarity, and autumn is full of sensory-rich experiences that spark curiosity.
The crunch of leaves, the smell of cinnamon, the glow of orange and gold—they all invite conversation. These natural changes create an emotional bridge between a child’s world and SEL concepts. Talking about the changes in nature can lead to talking about changes within ourselves—how we grow, adapt, and find comfort in new routines.
When SEL activities are tied to the current season, children engage more deeply. They see, touch, and feel the lessons, making them both memorable and meaningful.
Why Fall is a Natural Time to Talk About Emotions
Fall naturally invites conversations about change, growth, and letting go. The shorter days and cooler air signal that the year is moving forward, just as we do in our own lives. For children, this can be a gentle way to explore topics like starting something new, saying goodbye to something old, and embracing fresh experiences. The colorful transformation of leaves mirrors the variety of feelings we all have—some bright and exciting, some softer and more reflective. By pointing out these natural shifts, teachers can help children understand that all feelings have value, and that change can lead to something wonderful.
“When children can connect what they see outside to what they feel inside, it makes emotional learning more concrete and meaningful.”
Autumn-Themed SEL Activities for the Classroom
1. Feelings Leaf Hunt
Before class, hide paper leaves around the room, each with an emotion written or drawn on it (happy, excited, nervous, calm). When children find a leaf, they share a time they felt that emotion. Fern’s favorite? The “proud” leaf—she told the group about the day she helped Bree carry apples back to the classroom.
2. Gratitude Pumpkin
Place a large paper pumpkin on the wall. Each day, children add a “gratitude seed” (a small note or drawing of something they’re thankful for). Over time, the pumpkin fills with kind words and happy memories.
3. Kindness Tree
Tape a large tree outline to the wall. Each time a child shows kindness, they add a paper leaf describing what they did (“I helped a friend zip their coat”). Fern proudly placed a leaf for helping Percy carry the sharing basket.
4. Autumn Story Circle
Read Fern the Fox’s Fall Feast or another seasonal story. Pause to ask, “How do you think Fern felt when her friends arrived?” or “What would you do if you were in her place?”
Sensory Fall Bins for Calm Play
Create a sensory bin with dried corn, small pumpkins, cinnamon sticks, and silk leaves. Add scoops, cups, and little animal figurines. Sensory play can help children self-regulate while connecting to the seasonal theme. You can even tie it to feelings—have children pick a leaf, say a feeling, and then bury it in the corn to “practice letting it go.”
Autumn Discussion Prompts
Open-ended questions can spark thoughtful conversations. Use these prompts during circle time or small groups:
- “What’s your favorite thing about fall and why?”
- “How does the cooler weather make you feel?”
- “What changes do you see outside? How is that like changes we go through?”
- “If you could give autumn a feeling, what would it be?”
By connecting the season’s changes to emotional changes, children learn that both are natural and often beautiful.
Fall Music & Movement Breaks
Play soft autumn-themed background music during transitions or after high-energy activities. Try a “Leaf Dance,” where children pretend to be leaves floating to the ground, swaying to slower rhythms. Movement helps release extra energy and can set a calmer tone for the rest of the day.
Cozy SEL Activities for Home Connection
SEL doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Here are ways to bring fall feelings home:
- Fall Feelings Journal: Send home a single journal page where children draw something from their day and choose a leaf to color that matches their mood.
- Nature Walk Emotions: Encourage families to go on a leaf walk, choosing a leaf color for each feeling they talk about.
- Gratitude Muffins: Share a simple recipe card for baking muffins together, encouraging families to share something they’re grateful for with each stir of the batter.
Art Projects with an SEL Twist
Have children paint with fall colors and add a “feeling leaf” to their artwork—drawing a face that matches how they’re feeling today. Hang the paintings in a “Gallery of Autumn Feelings” so children can see the variety of emotions that are all normal and beautiful, just like the leaves.
Quick Tips for Making Seasonal SEL Inclusive
Seasonal SEL works best when it’s accessible and welcoming for all children. Keep activities focused on nature and feelings rather than specific holidays, which some students may not celebrate. Offer sensory-friendly versions of activities, like using smooth felt leaves instead of crunchy ones for children sensitive to sound. Provide multiple ways to participate—some children may prefer to draw or write their thoughts, while others may enjoy sharing aloud. Most importantly, create space for every child’s perspective, so they know their feelings and experiences are valued, no matter how they celebrate the season.
Tying It All Together with Fern the Fox
Your Fern the Fox fall activities and cozy seasonal coloring pages are perfect for reinforcing these lessons. They offer low-prep, engaging ways for teachers and parents to connect with children through storytelling, art, and discussion.
With Fern’s gentle personality and the warmth of autumn as the backdrop, these resources help make SEL tangible—and joyful—for little learners.
Closing Encouragement
Just as trees let go of their leaves, autumn reminds us that change can be beautiful. Whether it’s a new feeling, a new friend, or a new skill, every change helps children grow.
In our classrooms and homes, we have the chance to slow down, notice the colors, and make space for conversations that matter. With a few simple, seasonal activities, we can turn fall into a season of warmth, connection, and emotional growth.
“So, grab a cozy blanket, pour a cup of cider, and let the magic of autumn inspire the emotional growth of your classroom this season.”
And maybe, like Fern the Fox, we’ll find ourselves wrapping up in the cozy feeling that comes from sharing the season with friends.
Written by Angela Paschal, founder of The Little Heart Collection – a brand dedicated to creating SEL stories, activities, and affirmations that help kids shine bright.
My Little Hearts Co. 
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