October is one of the most magical months of the year at Centerville Child Development Center, and our 4-year-olds are making the most of it! Between pumpkins, stories, costumes, and hands-on experiments, Halloween gives our Pre-K class countless ways to learn through play.
This time of year, the excitement in our classroom is contagious but behind every craft, song, and story is a carefully designed lesson that’s preparing your child for kindergarten next fall. Let’s take a peek inside our 4-year-old room this month and see how we’re turning all the Halloween fun into meaningful learning experiences!
Pumpkin Science and Sensory Learning
Nothing captures the wonder of fall like pumpkins! Our class is exploring the life cycle of a pumpkin from seed to sprout to bright orange fruit through hands-on science activities.
We’re scooping out pumpkin seeds, describing textures, weighing pumpkins, and even estimating how many seeds we’ll find inside before we count them out together.
What They’re Learning:
- Early math and measurement as they compare sizes, weights, and quantities.
- Scientific thinking by making predictions and testing them.
- Fine-motor skills while scooping and sorting seeds.
- Vocabulary building through new words like “vine,” “harvest,” and “estimate.”
Science in preschool is all about curiosity and learning that it’s okay to ask questions, make guesses, and be amazed by what happens next. These critical thinking habits will help them become problem-solvers in kindergarten and beyond.
Halloween Literacy and Storytelling
This month’s story circle is full of favorite fall and Halloween books like Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman, and The Little Old Lady Who Wasn’t Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams.
After reading, our students retell the stories using puppets, felt boards, and drawings. They also create their own Halloween stories, combining imagination with early literacy skills.
What They’re Learning:
- Phonemic awareness as they listen to rhymes and repeated phrases.
- Comprehension and sequencing when they recall what happened first, next, and last.
- Story structure as they create their own tales with a beginning, middle, and end.
- Confidence in communication through sharing their stories aloud.
All of this prepares children for reading readiness and one of the biggest transitions into kindergarten. By connecting letters, sounds, and stories to something fun, we’re building a love of literacy that lasts.
Halloween Art and Craft Projects
Our art area is a flurry of creativity this month! From spider webs made of yarn to painted pumpkins, collages, and ghost cutouts, our 4-year-olds are expressing their creativity while practicing real-world school skills.
What They’re Learning:
- Cutting and tracing build fine-motor strength and pencil control.
- Following multi-step directions for example, “Glue the orange circle, then add the green stem” prepares them for structured classroom learning.
- Focus and persistence as they complete longer projects over several days.
- Pride and independence in their finished work, building self-esteem.
Each art project doubles as a kindergarten readiness activity for helping your child build the coordination, patience, and attention span they’ll need next year.
Trick-or-Treat Counting Games and Candy Sorting
Who knew math could be so sweet? Our class is working on number recognition, one-to-one counting, and simple addition using candy-colored manipulatives and Halloween-themed math centers.
They count candy pieces into cups, roll dice to collect items, and sort objects by color or shape.
What They’re Learning:
- Early math concepts like more/less, equal sets, and number order.
- Pattern recognition by sorting and grouping items.
- Turn-taking and sharing through group games and activities.
By weaving math into holiday fun, children learn that numbers are part of everyday life and that math can be both playful and exciting!
Costume Play and Dramatic Expression
Costume week is one of the highlights of October at Centerville Child Development Center! Our teachers encourage children to bring friendly costumes (no scary ones) and participate in imaginative play and our annual costume parade around the center.
What They’re Learning:
- Social and emotional growth by pretending, sharing ideas, and role-playing together.
- Language development as they use descriptive words and act out stories.
- Empathy through imaginative play is understanding how different characters feel.
Pretend play is a cornerstone of early learning. It gives 4-year-olds the opportunity to express creativity, practice problem-solving, and navigate friendships all essential kindergarten readiness skills.
Cooking, Counting, and Community
This month, our little chefs will make mini pumpkin muffins together! They’ll measure ingredients, count scoops, and talk about changes as the batter turns into muffins.
What They’re Learning:
- Math and measurement (counting cups, spoons, and ingredients).
- Science and observation (seeing liquids turn solid through baking).
- Collaboration and patience as they take turns and follow directions.
Cooking activities are one of the best ways to connect real-life learning with classroom concepts plus, the reward is delicious!
Building Independence and Confidence
At 4 years old, children are preparing for one of their biggest milestones kindergarten! Every day in our classroom is designed to foster independence.
We encourage children to:
- Hang up their own coats and backpacks.
- Set the table for snack time.
- Clean up after activities.
- Try problem-solving before asking for help.
These small moments build self-confidence and responsibility. By the time they leave Centerville Child Development Center, our Pre-K students are not only academically ready they’re emotionally ready too.
They’ve learned how to follow directions, manage transitions, and work well with others all essential kindergarten skills.
Happy Halloween from the 4-Year-Old Room!
October is filled with joy, laughter, and creativity and in our 4-year-old room, every ghost, pumpkin, and giggle has a purpose. As we celebrate Halloween, we’re also celebrating growth, learning, and all the milestones your child is reaching along the way.
At Centerville Child Development Center, we’re proud to help every child build the confidence, curiosity, and skills they need to shine in kindergarten next year and beyond! Schedule a tour today or visit Centerville Child Development Center’s website to learn more about our Pre-K program, meet our amazing teachers, and see how play-based learning prepares children for a bright future.