Fall Festivities at Academy of Westhaven!

 Last week was bursting with autumn magic in our classrooms! Our preschoolers explored the season with hands-on activities, creative expression, and moments of gratitude that warmed all of our hearts. Here’s a peek into the fall fun we shared together:

 Fall Sensory Bin Adventures

Our fall sensory bins were an instant favorite! Little hands dug through colorful leaves, tiny pumpkins, acorns, scoops, and scooping cups—building fine motor skills while exploring the textures and colors of the season. The children loved pretending to “rake” leaves, fill buckets, and sort natural treasures. It was the perfect way to welcome the crisp feeling of fall indoors!

 Turkey Feather Fluffing Fun

Giggles filled the room during our turkey feather fluffing activity! Preschoolers matched, sorted, and “fluffed” bright feathers to build their very own silly turkeys. This activity promoted color recognition, creativity, and teamwork as they swapped feathers and shared ideas. Nothing says November like a classroom full of tiny, feathery masterpieces!

 Thank You Cards for Veterans

In honor of Veterans Day, our students created heartfelt thank-you cards to show appreciation to the brave men and women who have served our country. With crayons, stickers, and big smiles, the children crafted messages of gratitude. Their sweet drawings and simple words of thanks remind us how meaningful kindness can be—no matter your size or age.

As the leaves continue to fall and the weather turns cozier, we’re so grateful for the joy, curiosity, and laughter your children bring to our school each day. Here’s to more memories, more learning, and more little moments that make this season so special.  

Halloween Sensory Extravaganza!

What a spooktacular week we had celebrating Halloween at The Academy of Westhaven! Our classrooms were filled with laughter, creativity, and just the right amount of friendly fright as we explored all things pumpkins, potions, and pretend play. The children dove into hands-on sensory adventures that encouraged curiosity, fine motor skills, and imagination — all while having a blast! 

🧡 Rescuing the Pumpkins

One of our favorite activities this week was “Rescuing the Pumpkins.” The children became mini scientists and problem solvers as they worked to free tiny pumpkins trapped in a variety of sensory materials! Using tools like tongs, spoons, and their own hands, they discovered new textures, practiced patience, and cheered each other on as each pumpkin was rescued.

🌈 Rainbow Ghosts in Water

Next up, we explored some Halloween magic with our Rainbow Ghosts in Water experiment. The children watched in wonder as colorful “ghosts” (made from dissolvable materials) swirled and fizzed in the water, revealing hidden colors underneath. This activity brought lots of excitement — and a little science too! The children made predictions, tested their ideas, and observed how colors mix and change.

🕷️ Orange Shaving Cream Sensory Search

To end our Halloween week, we dove hands-first into a squishy, orange shaving cream sensory bin! Hidden among the fluffy foam were tiny spiders and witches’ hats waiting to be found. The children giggled as they searched, scooped, and squished their way through the orange foam, strengthening hand muscles and exploring textures all at once.

Our Halloween week was full of learning through play — from experimenting with textures and colors to practicing teamwork and imagination. The joy on each child’s face was the best treat of all!

Thank you to our families for helping us celebrate this magical season. We hope your Halloween was just as full of fun, creativity, and laughter as ours!

Fall Fest at The Academy of Westhaven!

This past Friday, our preschool was filled with laughter, color, and fall cheer as we celebrated our annual Fall Festival! Families joined us for a day full of exciting activities, creative play, and plenty of smiles. It was the perfect way to welcome the season and make lasting memories together.

Our little learners had a blast exploring the Halloween-themed sensory bins, where they scooped, poured, and discovered spooky surprises hidden among colorful rice, squishy eyeballs, and mini pumpkins. These bins were not only fun but also a great way to strengthen fine motor skills and spark curiosity!

One of the biggest hits of the night was face painting! From sparkly butterflies to friendly monsters, our preschoolers loved choosing their favorite designs and showing off their new looks to friends and family.

The excitement didn’t stop there—our bounce house was full of energy and laughter all evening long. It was wonderful to see the children hopping, bouncing, and giggling together while enjoying some active playtime.

To top off the fun, each child got to show off their creativity at our pumpkin painting station. With brushes in hand and paint of every color, the children turned simple pumpkins into beautiful works of art to take home and display proudly.

We are so grateful to all the families who joined us and helped make this day such a success. Events like our Fall Festival are what make our preschool community so special—filled with joy, connection, and a whole lot of fun! 

Spooky Season at the Academy of Westhaven!

 

What a magical week we had at preschool! Our classrooms were full of creativity, laughter, and a little bit of Halloween Spirit as we explored fun fall activities together. Here are a few highlights from our week: 

Fine Witches Motor Broom Activity 

Our young friends worked on their fine motor skills this week with our "Fine Witches Motor Broom" challenge! The children used beads, pipe cleaners, and tongs to create tiny spooky treasures! This playful activity strengthened hand muscles and coordination - all while sparking imagination and giggles. 

Boo Houses

Our classrooms turned into little construction zones as we made Boo House! Using cardboard boxes, paint, construction paper, and fun Halloween stickers, the children worked together to build and decorate their own haunted houses! This activity encouraged teamwork, creativity, and some crafty fun! 

Pajama Day 

We ended our week with a cozy pajama day! Everyone came to school in their favorite PJ's, ready for a day filled with stories, songs, and warm, fuzzy fun! We read bedtime themed books, sipped on pretend cocoa, and even had a special "dreamy" dance party! It was the perfect way to end our busy week! 

We're so proud of how engaged and excited our preschoolers were this week. Each activity helped build important early learning skills - while keeping the magic of the season alive. We can't wait to see what fun next week brings! 

Fall is for Family at the Academy of Westhaven!

As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, fall gently reminds us to slow down, gather close, and cherish time with the ones who matter most - our families! At Academy of Westhaven, we believe that the beauty of the season lies not just in the colors outside, but in moments we create together. Here's a peek at what we did last week and how we made the most of this cozy, connection-filled season! 

We kicked off the season with a Car Seat Safety Check hosted in our parking lot. Certified technicians helped families ensure that car seats were installed correctly and safely - a small action that can make a big difference in keeping our little ones protected! It was wonderful to see so many parents take part in this important event. 

Our Fall Family Scavenger hunt brought out the adventurer in everyone! With colorful lists in hand, families walked, explored, and searched for signs of the season - from crunchy leaves to acorns and everything in between! The joy was in the journey, and it was heartwarming to see parents and kids laughing, collecting, and connecting outdoors. 

We continued the fall fun with our children's favorite day of the year! Bike day! The playground was buzzing with energy as children proudly pedaled, scooted, and glided around the playground. It was such a joy to see their confidence grow as they practiced balance, coordination, and sharing the "road" with friends. A big thank you to all the parents for helping transport bikes, trikes, and helmets.

 

 

To finish off the week we gathered as a community for our Fall Family Picnic! Families gathered on the playground lawn with blankets, baskets, and big smiles, creating a beautiful patchwork or laughter and connection. The children were thrilled to show off their favorite outdoor games, share treats with their friends and family and explore the crunchy leaves that covered the ground! Events like these remind us that preschool is more than a classroom - it's a community!

Grandparents Day Celebration!

 

Grandparents Day Celebration!

Last week, we were thrilled to welcome grandparents into our school for a very special Grandparents Day Celebration and what a joyful afternoon it was!

From the moment grandparents arrived, our halls were filled with smiles, hugs, and happy chatter. The children were so excited to show off their classrooms and share this meaningful time with some of the most important people in their lives.

In each classroom, students and their grandparents worked side-by-side on fun and meaningful Grandparents Day crafts. Whether it was decorating picture frames, making handprint art, or creating colorful cards, every activity was designed to spark creativity and connection.

We also had a photo station set up, where families could capture the moment with sweet snapshots — complete with festive backdrops and props. These photos will be treasured for years to come!

After the crafts and photos, everyone gathered to enjoy a lovely spread of treats and refreshments. Cookies, fruit, lemonade, and other goodies gave grandparents and grandchildren a chance to sit, snack, and share stories together.

Grandparents play such an important role in our children's lives offering love, guidance, and traditions that help shape who they are. This celebration was a small way to honor that relationship and say “thank you” for all they do.

Thank You to Our Families!

We’re so grateful to all the families who helped make this event a success.. whether by inviting grandparents, helping with setup, or just encouraging your child to participate with enthusiasm and love.