Understanding Change Through The Seasons

Fall, also known as Autumn, is one of the most beautiful reminders that change can be a good thing. The leaves turn brilliant shades of red, orange and gold, the air gets crisper and the days slowly become shorter. For kids, this season can be a wonderful way to start conversations about change, growth and resilience.

Just like the trees let go of their leaves, kids can learn from nature that it's okay to let go of what no longer serves them, like a habit, a fear or even a toy they’ve outgrown. Change isn’t always easy, but it often makes room for something new.

Fall also teaches patience. After the leaves drop, the trees start to look bare and quiet but that doesn’t mean they’re gone. They’re just resting, waiting for spring. Kids can see this as a lesson: even when things feel challenging or uncertain, a fresh start is right around the corner.

Books can be powerful tools to help kids understand this idea. Stories with changing seasons or evolving characters show that growth happens in many ways. For instance, my book, "Charlie the Caterpillar" shows how Charlie’s transformation into a butterfly is a reminder to children that change can be exciting and beautiful. Similarly, "My First Day of Kindergarten" (written by a group of Beechview elementary fifth grade students and a little help from Andy Gutman) also helps kids embrace new beginnings, showing how big changes, like starting school, can bring joy, friendship and discovery.

By connecting nature’s cycles to everyday life, kids can see change isn’t something to fear - it’s something to help us grow and fall shows us that every ending makes way for a new beginning.