Fall is the perfect time for L is for Leaves. Learning about leaves while the real ones are changing colors outside makes the letter L feel extra special.
Fall is the perfect time to teach your toddler about the letter “L”! It would be so fun to learn about leaves while all of the leaves outside are changing colors.
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Make the Letter
Use some pipe cleaners to make the letter L.
Learning Notebook
Your toddler will have so much fun with the “Which One is Different?” page from the Toddler Curriculum!
L is for Leaves Toddler Trays
Theme
Leaf rubbings with real leaves and orange, red, yellow, green, and brown crayons.
Sorting
Sort decorative leaves by color into small containers.
Cutting
Using green, orange, red, or yellow playdough, make playdough snakes. Cut snakes into small pieces and press onto a tree playdough mat (included in the Toddler Curriculm) to make leaves on the tree.
Counting
Put a small decorative leaf into each square on the counting sheet. Can also count each row when finished.
Puzzle
Paint a leaf on nine wooden blocks. When dry, have child complete the puzzle by putting the blocks together correctly to form the leaf.
Tray Printables
Have your toddler use alphabet stamps to stamp Ls in the empty boxes.
Letter Activities
One of our favorite letter activities is the L collage. Have your toddler glue leaves onto the L.
Books
Read your toddler “A Leaf Can Be …“.
Letter L Craft
Get an empty paper towel roll and glue some leaves to it. The Toddler Curriculum has leaf pictures that you can print and glue onto the paper towel roll. You could also use fabric leaves or even real leaves!
Teach the whole alphabet, one letter at a time
Our Toddler Alphabet Curriculum helps you teach your child with a unique theme for each letter — printables, toddler tray ideas, a craft, a book list, and simple ways to teach the letter. It makes learning the alphabet easy and fun for you and your child!
Sensory Bin
Use kinetic sand for this sensory bin. This is a great sensory bin base for a child who already knows how to use a sensory bin. I wouldn’t recommend it for a child’s first sensory bin experience because it is very messy.
Looking for more letter activities? You will find them all on our how to teach letters page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I teach uppercase or lowercase letters first?
Start with uppercase. Capital letters are easier to tell apart, so they are less confusing for toddlers. Add lowercase once the uppercase letters feel familiar.
What is the best way to teach letters to a toddler?
Hands-on play. Sensory bins, magnets, crafts, and tracing make letters fun and memorable. Short, playful sessions work much better than flashcards or drilling.
How long should a letter lesson be?
Keep it short, just 5 to 10 minutes of playful practice, and stop while your toddler is still having fun. Several short sessions beat one long one.