Back to School at The Academy of Westhaven

Welcome back, families! We've officially kicked off the school year with a week filled with laughter, creativity and community. Our back to school week was all about easing into routines, making new friends, and celebrating the joy of being together again. Here's a look of what we got into each day: 

Monday - Back to School Sensory Bin

We kicked off the week by diving hands-first into our Back to School Sensory Bins! From soft pom-poms to letter beads, little hands explored textures, colors, and surprises hidden deep in the bins! It was a gentle and joyful way to ease into the classroom setting and let students explore at their own pace. 

Tuesday - Color Run 

Tuesday was all about movement and magic during our Color Run! With child-safe powdered colors and big smiles, our little runners zoomed through a playful obstacle course while being sprinkled with vibrant hues. This activity brought energy, excitement, and lots of laughter - the perfect way to build community and get those wiggles out! 

Wednesday - Back to School Time Capsules 

On Wednesday, we took a sweet and reflective turn by creating our very own Back to School Time Capsules. Each child added drawings of themselves, favorite things, and a handprint to be sealed and saved until the end of the school year. These keepsakes will be such a special surprise to open in the spring - a snapshot of who they were at the start of their preschool adventure. 

Thursday: New Friend, Friendship Bracelets 

To wrap up the week, we focused on what really makes school special: friends! Children worked together to make Friendship Bracelets, choosing colorful beads and learning about kindness and connection. It was incredibly heartwarming to see new friendships blooming and tiny hands helping each other string beads with care.

We are so grateful for your support in making Back to School Week a success! Your children brought joy, curiosity, and so much love into the classroom. We can't wait to keep growing, learning and laughing together this year. Stay tuned for next week as our adventure into the school year begins! 

 

Animal Planet At The Academy

This past week, our preschool was transformed into a vibrant, animal-filled wonderland as we celebrated Animal Planet Week! From furry friends to jungle beats, each day brought new adventures, laughter, and learning. Here's a look at the unforgettable experiences your little ones had: 

A Day at The Farm

We kicked off the week with a trip to the countryside (without ever leaving the school)! Children had hands-on fun as they learned all about life on the farm! Our sensory bins were filled with corn kernels and hay, and our friends enjoyed a finger-painting activity that turned into a colorful barnyard mural! 

Animal Parade 

On Tuesday, the preschool halls turned into a wild catwalk for our animal parade! Dressed as lions, tigers, hippos, baboons, and zebras the children marched to lively music showing off their costumes and animal moves! 

Safari Exploration 

Wednesday brought out the explorer in everyone as we ventured on a pretend safari through our transformed playground. Equipped with binoculars and safari hats, children searched for hidden animals and animal tracks. We talked about habitats, animal diets, and the importance of protecting wildlife! 

Jungle Jam 

Our school turned into a rhythm-filled rainforest for our Jungle Jam! Our friends stepped inside a giant inflatable globe for an unforgettable adventure! Surrounded by vibrant jungle scenery, the kiddos danced to tropical tunes and bounced all around! It was a magical, immersive experience that turned music time into a wild and wonderful celebration! 

Animal Planet week was a roaring success thanks to the enthusiasm of our students, the support of our wonderful families, and the creativity of our dedicated teachers. Your children amazed us with their curiosity, imagination, and kindness toward all creatures big and small! 

Stay tuned for our last themed week of the summer! 

🌵 Wild Wild West Week at The Academy 🌵

 

 Wild Wild West Week at The Academy 

This week, The Academy of Westhaven was transformed into a rootin’-tootin’ town straight out of the Wild West! Our littles saddled up, panned for gold, and enjoyed adventures worthy of a cowboy tale.

Monday – Wild Wild West Rodeo

We kicked off the week with our very own Wild West Rodeo! Each little buckaroo received their own horse and galloped through exciting games and challenges. The smiles were as big as the prairie!

Tuesday – Gold Rush

The gold fever hit as we panned for gold and discovered shimmering treasures. Our little prospectors learned the thrill of the hunt (and the joy of striking it rich!).

Wednesday – Wild West Watering Hole

On a warm day, nothing beats a trip to the Wild West Watering Hole! We splashed, played, and cooled off just like real cowhands after a long day on the trail.

Thursday – Outlaw Obstacle Course

Our daring deputies took on the Outlaw Obstacle Course, climbing, crawling, and racing their way to capture the “outlaws” and restore peace to our little town.

Friday – Cowboy Campfire

We wrapped up the week with a Cowboy Campfire, complete with hamburgers and gooey s’mores enjoyed by the fire. The day was made even sweeter with a surprise, each child designed their very own cowboy boot and took home Wild West–themed snacks as a keepsake of their adventure.

From rodeo rides to campfire treats, our Wild Wild West Week was a rootin’ success. We loved watching our little cowboys and cowgirls bring the spirit of the Wild West to life! 

Dino-Mite Adventures

Dino-Mite Adventures at Academy of Westhaven 

 This week our preschool was transformed into a prehistoric paradise as we roared into Dinosaur Week! From bubbling science experiments to fossil filled fun, our little paleontologists explored, discovered, and dino-dashed their way through a week full of excitement. Here is a peek at some of the dino-rific activities we stomped into: Fizzy Dino Bones We kicked things off with a little science magic! The kids discovered "dino bones" (baking soda shapes) buried in trays and got to work with vinegar droppers. The result? A fizzy, bubbly, evcavation experience! This sensory activity was not only fun but helped build fine motor skills and early chemistry knowledge as the kids observed cause and effect in action! Stomp and Seek: Next up was our dino-sized scavenger hunt - Stomp and Seek! We scattered green dinosaur footprints all over the classroom, each leading to a dinosaur egg! As they stomped from clue to clue, the children practiced their counting and teamwork! Dino Dig: No dinosaur week would be complete without a real excavation! In our outdoor "dig site", the kids used brushes and tools to carefully uncover buried fossils and mini dinosaurs hidden in sand and dirt! This activity sparked so many questions and conversations about real paleontology and helped develop patience, observation and gentle hands - just like real scientists use! Jurassic Guest: We had a very special visit from Jurassic Park! Our guest shared amazing dinosaur facts and even showed us how loud they could ROAR! The guest experience helped bring the world of dinosaurs to life, connecting our play-based learning to real world knowledge! Dino Dash: We wrapped up our week with the ultimate prehistoric race - the dino dash! The kids wore dino tails, roared with excitement, and ran obstacle courses made of logs, tunnels, and cones. Laughter filled the air as they zoomed and zigzagged across our Jurassic Jungle! The dino dash encouraged gross motor development, balance, and most importantly - pure, unfiltered joy! Whether they were roaring, digging, or fizzing their way through the week, every hcild had a blast discovering the wonders of the prehistoric world. Thanks for letting us share these magical moments - stay tuned for our next themed week at Academy of Westhaven!!

Under the Sea Week

This week at The Academy of Westhaven, we dove deep into the magical world Under the Sea! Our little ocean explorers had an unforgettable time discovering marine life, engaging in hands-on activities, and making a splash with fun!

We began the week with Ocean Habitat Exploration, where the children learned all about life beneath the waves. From sea turtles to jellyfish, our little learners explored ocean zones and discovered what makes each part of the sea special.

A true highlight of the week was our special guest appearance from a real-life mermaid! The look of wonder on the children’s faces as she swam in and shared stories of the sea was absolutely priceless. She answered questions, sang songs, and even posed for photos, creating memories our students will treasure forever.

Midweek, we made waves during Shark Week Water Day! From shark-themed splash pad fun to water relay games, the laughter and squeals of excitement filled the air. Our little sharks had a blast cooling off and learning all about these fascinating sea creatures.

We wrapped up the week with a creative art adventure, designing our very own coral reefs! Using colorful materials like dyed pasta, tissue paper, and pipe cleaners, the children created vibrant underwater scenes while learning about the importance of coral ecosystems.

Our Under the Sea week was a splash-tastic success, filled with discovery, imagination, and fun.

Stay tuned as we continue to explore, create, and play all summer long! 

 

We are America Week

 

We Are America Week Recap 

What an incredible week we had celebrating We Are America with our preschoolers! This festive, red-white-and-blue themed week was full of laughter, learning, and patriotic pride. Here’s a peek into all the memory-making fun:

Monday: Stars and Stripes Relay 

We kicked off the week with high-energy fun during our Stars and Stripes Relay! The children raced through patriotic-themed games like building “Freedom Towers,” American flag relays, and classic sack races. The laughter and cheers filled the air as our little ones practiced teamwork and showed off their star-spangled spirit!

Tuesday: Firecracker Goop 

Things got a little messy—in the best way possible!—with our Firecracker Goop activity. The red, white, and blue sensory experience had the children squishing, mixing, and exploring textures with huge smiles. It was a hands-on celebration of color and creativity!

Wednesday: Patriotic Parade 

Our annual Patriotic Parade is always a highlight, and this year didn’t disappoint! Our friends proudly decorated their bikes and scooters in stars, stripes, and all things sparkly red, white, and blue. We paraded around the campus with music, flags, and lots of waving to proud teachers and families.

Thursday: Star-Spangled Water Day 

We wrapped up the week with a splash during Star-Spangled Water Day! With water slides, sprinklers, and lots of outdoor fun, the children stayed cool while soaking in the joy of summertime.

We are so grateful to spend these special summer moments with your little ones. Each activity, laugh, and patriotic cheer helps us create lasting memories together. Here’s to more summer magic ahead!