I absolutely love this time of year when we dust off our hoodies and the enchanting smell 
of pumpkin spiced lattes permeates the air. Fall is a beautiful time of change, and one thing we should consider changing up is our repertoire of rhymes. Rhyming is essential to early literacy skills, and it’s fun to practice new rhymes with children as one season transitions into another. Here are some delightful fall rhymes to get you started.
The Apple Tree
Way up high in the apple tree (hold hands above head)
Two little apples smiled at me (make fists with both hands and turn them back and forth)
I shook that tree as hard as I could (pretend to shake a tree)
Down came the apples (lower hand to the ground and wiggle fingers)
Mmmmmmmm! They were good! (rub your tummy)
I’m a Little Pumpkin
I’m a little pumpkin orange and bright
You’ll see me out on a chilly fall night
Carve me a face and add a light
I’ll glow and glow throughout the night
All the Leaves Are Falling Down
All the leaves are falling down, falling down, falling down (imitate leaves falling down)
All the leaves are falling down
We love autumn!
Take the rake and rake them up, rake them up, rake them up (imitate raking leaves)
Take the rake and rake them up
We love autumn!
Make a pile and jump right in, jump right in, jump right in (jump forward)
Make a pile and jump right in
We love autumn!
If your kiddos love these simple activities, find more ideas in these fingerplay books and DVDs from the library.
