To celebrate the fall season, we brought a large pumpkin, carving tools, a scooper, and sharpies for the children to freely explore. The children were invited to engage with the materials however they liked — to draw, carve, scoop, or design. They were also provided with optional science materials like baking soda, vinegar, and food colouring for those interested in extending their exploration into a “pumpkin volcano” experiment if time allowed. The group gathered around the table with curiosity and excitement.
As the pumpkin was opened, the sensory experience began. Olivia asked if she could do the honours of carving out the stem, and everyone agreed and watched her do it. I noticed Santiago watching intently as Olivia carved the top of the pumpkin stem, saying, “I’m watching so I can do it for my first time.” His eagerness to learn from his peers reflected children’s natural ability to collaborate and build confidence through observation and shared experiences. As the pumpkin opened up, Catherine bravely said, “I’m going to use my bare hands, I don’t care!” while James M laughed and said, “Eew gross, that must not feel good.” The mixture of curiosity and hesitation set the tone for a fun, hands-on exploration.
Catherine who waited patiently for her turn, fully engaged in squeezing and exploring the texture of the pumpkin ‘guts’, fascinated by the stringy and slimy feel. Austin carefully traced his jack-o’-lantern design with a sharpie before carving it out with deep focus and precision. Throughout the activity, I heard the children use wonderful awareness language to support one another — “Watch for Catherine’s hand, she’s putting it inside the pumpkin.” They demonstrated care, empathy, and communication, ensuring everyone felt safe and included. This activity offered meaningful opportunities for children to engage their senses, express their creativity, and strengthen their sense of belonging through collaboration. The pumpkin carving created a space where children could take risks, express individuality, and show care for one another, all while exploring the natural curiosity of the season.
For our next steps, we plan to extend this exploration by incorporating the baking soda and vinegar “pumpkin volcano” experiment, allowing children to connect art and science through inquiry-based play. We can also encourage storytelling by asking them to name or write a story about their jack-o’-lantern characters in the near future.
