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Month by Month
A Whole Year of Toddler Activities By Shannon McKelden
by Angela C. Santomero (Simon Spotlight/Nickelodeon, 2000). Better yet, get the 
learning fun started early with books like A to Z by Sandra Boynton (Simon & Schuster, 1984) and Olivia Counts by Ian Falconer (Atheneum, 2002). Of course, let them check out the books to take home to show big brother or sister what they learned at the library. October: Fall into FunAs leaves begin to change color, why not make an outing out of collecting fall leaves? Maybe plan this outing in conjunction with visiting a pumpkin patch and picking out the perfect tot-sized pumpkin. Follow up the outdoor fun by letting your child make collages of pretty leaves glued to construction paper and helping carve the jack-o-lantern. (Observe safety rules with adults doing the cutting, but kids love to play with the squishy insides of the pumpkin!) November: Pick a Peck of ApplesTake your toddler apple picking. Back at home slice up the apples for applesauce and save a few for nibbling. While waiting for your feast, read Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell (Aladdin, 2005).
Or make apple print pictures: Cut apples in different directions (top to bottom and side to side). Fold a paper towel into fourths and place on a paper plate like a stamp pad. Pour some paint onto the paper towel. Help your child dip the cut side of the apple into the paint, blotting off the excess on the paper towel. Press the panted apples onto construction paper like a stamp to make darling pictures. Experiment with other fruits, too! Use fabric paints to make wearable T-shirts or tote bags.