Fall brings a whole new set of themes in lesson plans. Some of our favorite fall themes for preschoolers include pumpkin activities, falling leaves, acorns and more. We get excited about new themes and preschool activities in general, but when I break out the pumpkin theme, it’s extra special! The Free Printable Pumpkin Letter Recognition Spin & Stamp Activity for preschoolers and kindergartners is a great way to practice uppercase and lowercase letters with a great fall alphabet theme.
More from our Shop
Find even more engaging activities in the Life Over C’s shop!
Learning the Alphabet in Preschool
PRESCHOOL LITERACY CENTERS
LOTS OF PRACTICE WITH LETTERS DURING PRESCHOOL SETS KIDS UP FOR SUCCESS IN KINDERGARTEN AND BEYOND.
Learning to identify and write letters takes a lot of repetition over time. The best way to get young children interested, is to vary literacy activities and make them feel more like fun games than “learning.”
The pumpkin alphabet activity is a great way for children to explore the differences/similarities in uppercase and lowercase letters. What I love most is the ease of prep for this printable fall alphabet letter activity.
Once you teach children how to use the pumpkin preschool activity, they can easily play independently.
I like to pair the literacy pumpkin activity with other pumpkin fun, like pumpkin books, pumpkin seeds, and a visit to the pumpkin patch for some real pumpkin fun!
In addition to learning to name letters, additional questions will get young learners thinking regardless of the preschool theme:
- What’s the name of the letter?
- What sound does it make?
- Can you think of a word(s) that begins with the same sound?
- Do some letters look the same/similar/different?
What Can Pumpkin Literacy Activities For Preschool Teach?
PUMPKIN PRESCHOOL THEME
PRESCHOOL PUMPKIN ACTIVITIES CAN TEACH IMPORTANT CONCEPTS, FROM SCIENCE TO READING AND MATH.
In addition to learning uppercase and lowercase letters, this free pumpkin activity enhances fine motor development each time your child spins. Other pumpkin activities might include:
- Making pumpkin pie
- Learning the life cycle of a pumpkin
- Pumpkin arts and crafts
- Pumpkin worksheets and game for math
Why Is It Important For Kids To Learn About Letters?
Children are naturally curious about everything around them. Games and worksheets for preschoolers helps prepare kids to learn how to read when they enter kindergarten.
Background Knowledge
When children begin to learn about the shapes we call letters, it sets their brains up for success. Soon they will need to understand that each letter represents a different spoken sound.
Improves Fluency
The goal before learning to read would be to be able to effortlessly name letters, both uppercase and lowercase. That ease makes the transition to learning sounds much less difficult.
Understand Reading
Children with letter knowledge can easily make the jump from naming different letters to understanding that letters are truly a code for how to read.
Make Connections
Preschoolers often learn letter names, letter sounds, and how to write letters simultaneously. It helps them make connections as to how they all relate to each other and to the bigger picture of reading.
Tools you’ll need
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Educational Insights See And Stamp Jumbo Uppercase Alphabet StampsEducational Insights See & Stamp Jumbo Alphabet Stamps – Lowercase (20 Pieces)
How to Make The Printable Pumpkin Spin & Stamp
Step One:
Print the pages on regular paper. That’s it!
Step Two:
To play, pick a letter and set up the spinner by placing the tip of a pencil inside the paper clip to spin.
Step Three:
Then, identify the letter as uppercase or lowercase and choose the corresponding stamp. Repeat!
Our Favorite Preschool Fall Themed Books:
We can’t live without these!
Once your child’s creativity is sparked with this fun activity, take it a step further with these engaging resources:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Fall Mixed Up (Carolrhoda Picture Books)Leaves
Leif and the Fall
A Tree for All Seasons (Rise and Shine)
Pete the Cat Falling for Autumn
Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn
The Leaf Thief: (The Perfect Fall Book for Children and Toddlers)
Hello, Fall!: A Picture Book
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves!
Leaf Man
Sensory Bin
Sensory activities for kids are important. Place the letter stamps in the sensory bin all mixed up. Then have students find a letter, then find the right sheet to stamp it on.
Talk
It helps when kids say the letter names as they play. You can then talk about the sound each letter makes and words that begin with that sound.
Play a Game
It’s easy to turn a pumpkin worksheet for preschool into a game! Kids can take turns spinning, or place the letter pages upside down so they don’t know what letter they might draw.