This is a program that works for children ages 18 months and up.  This is a fun program to run during pumpkin season.  Children will leave understanding the parts of a pumpkin and how it differs from a gourd. The craft will enhance fine motor skills.

The word I choose to teach them is “gourd”

Materials for Craft

• Precut pumpkin shape- 1 for each child
• Green Strips of paper (about 1 foot long)- 4 for each child
• Glue Sticks
• Crayons
• Googley Eyes (optional)

Books

•  Amara’s Farm  by JaNay Brown-Wood
• Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell

Rhymes

• “Pumpkin Patch” Clapping Rhyme
• “Five Little Pumpkins” Action Rhyme / Song

1. Start with your favorite Hello Song!
2. Read Amara’s Farm. I was very careful to show the children how to distinguish a pumpkin from other plants as Amara does. They would be using what they saw in the book later for the craft
3. This is when I teach them the word of the day “Gourd”. I also had pictures of gourds turned into musical instruments. I explain a few differences between the gourd and pumpkin.
4. Sing a song about the seasons or a video. Suggestions:
   1. Laurie Berkner’s, “I Picked One Pumpkin“
   2. “Pumpkin Patch” Clapping Rhyme
   3. “Five Little Pumpkins” Action Rhyme / Song
5. Read Apples and Pumpkins
6. Craft time.  Give each child a pumpkin shape and have them draw a face on it, “ribs” and “stem”.  The words they learned in Amara’s Farm.
7. Give the children 4 green strips. Explain these are the vines.
8. Show the children how to fold the paper.  Encourage the adults to let the children try.  Even if they just wrinkle it up.
9. The children or adults will then glue the vines on. (2 for arms and 2 for legs)
10. When they are all done, point to the parts of the pumpkin using their crafts. 🙂