Let’s Go Apple Picking!

It’s more than just a fun day out!

It’s that time of year! The apples are ripe and ready for the picking! A visit to the apple orchard is a fun experience for children and adults alike and is a wonderful kickoff for the fall season. But did you know that there are so many benefits to your child’s physical, emotional and cognitive development in this simple activity?

While you may think a trip to the orchard is just about family time, running through the trees and picking delicious apples, there is so much more happening during this enriching experience!

You are introducing and solidifying scientific concepts about life cycles, seasons, and horticulture. Children are so curious about the outdoors, how things grow, why the apples are ripe this time of year, etc. The questions can be endless, as you know! What a wonderful opportunity for curiosity and exploration.

A trip to the orchard is a feast for the senses! Your child will be developing and refining their sensory awareness and comfort level with the exposure to the smell, taste and feel of the apples, as well as enjoying the sound of leaves rustling in the trees and the sun on their faces.

It’s great exercise! Reaching on tiptoe for those high apples or maybe even climbing one of those stronger trees really aids in the development of those gross motor skills. Grasping and twisting the apples also strengthens the hand, which will actually help your child develop hand strength! Think handwriting stamina!

Let’s not forget the language and communication component. Conversations using descriptive words while describing the experience, preferences and observations cultivates language development and provides valuable content to help in reading comprehension.

And finally, the social emotional benefits. Such experiences in nature can strengthen bonds with family and friends and aid in a child’s emotional well-being by reducing stress and making personal connections. A child’s special relationship and fascination with nature should be supported and protected as it is proven to reduce anxiety and depression.

So, take advantage od this seasonal tradition while supporting your child’s development and sense of belonging and community. Time to start searching for those apple recipes!

Checkout some our local apple orchards this weekend!