Grown-Up Guide: Let’s Talk!

Words you may find useful:

leaf autumn crunchy tree collect woodland season winter summer

What to do

This picture helps develop your child’s Understanding the World by encouraging them to notice how the seasons change and explore the natural environment. It also supports Communication and Language as children describe what they see, compare colours and share their observations.

Sit together and look at the picture. Let your child lead—follow what they notice first.

You say it first (Copy + Add)

“I can see lots of colourful leaves.”

“The child is collecting leaves.”

“The leaves have fallen from the trees.”

👉 Then, depending on the age of your child, add one or more words:

“A crunchy brown leaf.”

“A bright golden tree.”

“A smooth red leaf.”

💬 3 questions to build language

“What colours can you see?”

“How do you think the leaves feel?”

“What do you think happens to the trees when autumn ends?”

If no answer

That’s okay—keep modelling:

“The leaves are red and yellow.”

“This leaf feels crunchy.”

“The child is collecting leaves in a basket.”

⏱️ 2-minute routine

🍂 Collect a few fallen leaves on your next walk together.
🟡 Sort them by colour, size or shape.
👋 Feel each leaf and talk about whether it is smooth, rough, dry or crunchy.
🎨 Create a simple leaf picture or leaf rubbing when you get home.

Keep it short, warm and pressure-free.