Leaves! Leaves! Leaves!: Nature Walk + Sort + Describe

Infants build foundations through repetition and sensory exploration.

Objectives

Materials

Instructions

Materials

Soft blanket or mat

A selection of large, dry leaves in various shapes and textures (e.g., maple, oak, sycamore)

A basket or shallow tray

A mirror

A soft, safe container for holding leaves (e.g., a fabric bin)

Optional: A book about leaves or nature

Learning Objectives

Infants will explore different textures and visual features of natural objects.

Infants will show increased awareness of their environment and the objects within it.

Infants will engage with caregivers through vocalizations and gestures during the activity.

Infants will begin to develop sensory discrimination skills.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Lay the soft blanket or mat on the floor. You might be doing this in your backyard if the weather is nice, or bring the leaves inside to create your own little "nature corner" like a part of your home.

2. Gently place a few of the dry leaves on the blanket. Show your baby these leaves. You can say, "Look, baby, these are leaves! They fell from trees, just like the trees outside your window."

3. Allow your baby to reach, grasp, and explore the leaves. Narrate their actions: "You're touching the leaf! It feels crinkly, doesn't it?" If they put it in their mouth, ensure the leaves are clean and non-toxic, just like you'd supervise them with anything else at home.

4. Introduce the basket or tray. Offer a leaf and say, "Can you put this leaf in the basket, like we put toys in our toy bin?" Help their hand guide it in.

5. Present the mirror. Hold your baby so they can see themselves with a leaf. Say, "Look! You have a leaf! Your family is so interested in nature!"

6. Engage in simple back-and-forth interactions. If your baby babbles, respond with, "Yes, those are interesting leaves!" If they point, describe what they are pointing to.

7. Carefully let your baby feel different types of leaves, one at a time. Compare them for softness or roughness, linking it to your shared experiences: "This one is smooth, like your favourite blanket."

8. Place the leaves into the soft container together at the end of the exploration, reinforcing the idea of tidying up, just like you might do at home with your child's belongings.

Educator Tip

Ensure all leaves are thoroughly checked for any sharp edges or signs of decay. Supervise closely to prevent choking hazards. Consider inviting families to share what leaves they might have seen near their own homes or during recent outings. This connects the classroom activity to their unique family experiences.

Assessment

Observe the infant's reactions to the different textures and shapes of the leaves. Note their engagement with the materials, their attempts to grasp or manipulate the leaves, and their vocalizations or gestures in response to the caregiver's interactions. Look for any signs of curiosity or focused attention on the leaves.

Educator tip

Keep stimulation low; follow infant cues.

Assessment

Observe and note: sustained engagement, sensory responses, early vocalisations, and attachment behaviours. Document using the Characteristics of Effective Learning framework (Playing and Exploring). Observe gaze, reach, calm engagement.

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