Hello Winter! Fun and Games to keep us warm inside.

                                                                             

When winter weather keeps everyone indoors, it doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. With a little creativity, you can bring all the magic of snow days inside—no mittens or shovels required! From energetic games to hands-on building activities, these indoor snow-themed ideas are perfect for keeping kids active, engaged, and smiling all winter long.

The Snowman Relay is a high-energy activity that gets kids moving while encouraging teamwork. The kiddos laughed and bounced through the enrichment room and enjoyed time with their friends. The races were close and it was fun to watch them cheer each other on!

That was not all the fun we had though. We also did some Snow Castle Building!

Who says you need real snow to build a snow castle? Indoor materials work just as well—and sometimes even better. The kiddos enjoyed getting creative and making their very own castles. It is so fun to watch them and see what they design and create. 

Another fun activity the kiddos enjoyed was the Ice Animal Rescue. It was a simple toddler activity for Fine Motor Skills and Cold Exploration. They were very curious and had fun as they touched the ice and watched as it melted to free the animals. 

Thank you for sharing your children with us during this cold, wintry weather. We are truly enjoying our time with them. Your support, trust and partnership mean the world to us. Here is to many memories to be made and warm hugs to be shared. 

 

Hello Winter! Cozy Days and Happy Memories Ahead!

As the air turns crisp and the days grow a little cozier, the Academy of Westhaven has joyfully stepped into the wonderful season of winter! This time of year brings so many opportunities for fun, learning, and making sweet memories with friends. 

One of our favorite moments was our Hot Cocoa Party! The children loved sipping on warm cocoa, sharing smiles, and enjoying a special treat together. It was the perfect way to celebrate winter while practicing patience, gratitude, and friendship. 

Winter days are even brighter when spent with friends, and our classrooms have been filled with laughter, teamwork, and meaningful connections. Whether building together, playing pretend or learning side by side, our friends truly make each day extra special! 

We've also been staying active with Move it Mondays, helping our little ones keep their bodies moving and energy flowing - no matter how chilly it gets outside! These movement focused activities encourage healthy habits while keeping learning fun and engaging! 

Of course, winter wouldn't be complete without our polar sensory activities! From exploring icy textures to discovering polar animals, the children have loved diving into hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and imagination while strengthening important sensory and motor skills. 

As we embrace this winter season, we want to say how incredibly thankful we are for our families. Your support, trust, and partnership mean the world to us. We are grateful to share these special moments with your children and cannot wait to see what the year ahead holds. Here's to a cozy winter season and an amazing year ahead, filled with growth, joy and unforgettable memories together!

An Amazing Year at The Academy of Westhaven!

 

As we look back on this year, our hearts are so full. It’s hard to believe how quickly the time has flown, and even harder to put into words just how special this year has been. From laughter-filled classrooms to unforgettable family moments, this truly has been an amazing year spent growing, learning, and celebrating together.

One of the highlights of our year was getting to enjoy so many wonderful community family events. Our Back to School Bash kicked off the year with excitement, smiles, and a strong sense of togetherness. Family Movie Night brought cozy memories, popcorn, and lots of giggles, while Fall Fest filled our campus with fun activities, festive cheer, and meaningful family connections. These events reminded us how special it is to partner with families and build a strong, supportive preschool community.

We also had an incredible summer that our students won’t soon forget! Our themed weeks brought learning to life in the most fun ways. From adventures during Wild Wild Westhaven to exploring the universe in Out of This World, each week sparked curiosity, creativity, and imagination. And of course, we can’t forget all the water days—full of splashing, laughter, and pure summer joy! 

Most of all, none of this would have been possible without you, our amazing parents and families. Thank you for your constant support, your trust, your encouragement, and the love you show our staff and students every single day. Your involvement makes a world of difference, and we are so grateful to partner with you in your child’s early learning journey.

As we look ahead, we are incredibly excited for what the new year will bring. We can’t wait to make more memories, share more milestones, and continue growing together. Thank you for an unforgettable year—we’re so proud to be part of this wonderful community!

A Night of Laughter, Gratitude, and Holiday Fun!

 Over the weekend, our preschool staff gathered to celebrate the holiday season with a joyful Christmas party filled with laughter, fun, and togetherness. It was a special time for our teachers to relax and enjoy one another outside of the classroom.

The evening was packed with festive Christmas games, plenty of delicious food, and lots of smiles. One of the highlights of the night was playing Dirty Santa, which brought out lots of laughs and friendly competition. Most of all, it was a wonderful opportunity for our team to spend time together and enjoy each other’s company during this busy season.

We are incredibly thankful for our teachers and staff. Each day, they pour their hearts into caring for, teaching, and loving the littles. Their dedication, patience, and passion truly make our preschool a warm and nurturing place for every child who walks through our doors.

As we celebrate this holiday season, we want our families to know how grateful we are for the amazing team that serves your children every day. We are so blessed to have such a hardworking and loving group of educators, and we couldn’t do what we do without them!

Jingle Bell Brunch and Pictures with Santa!

 

⭐ Jingle Bell Brunch: A Morning Full of Holiday Magic ⭐

This Wednesday, our preschool was filled with jingles, giggles, and the sweetest holiday cheer as we celebrated our Jingle Bell Brunch with our wonderful families! It was a joy to welcome parents into our classrooms for a cozy morning of delicious treats, warm conversations, and precious moments spent together. The children absolutely loved showing their parents around, ringing their jingle bells, and sharing in the excitement of the season.

🍪 Festive Cookie Decorating

Following our brunch, the little ones rolled up their sleeves and sprinkled a little extra magic onto the day with cookie decorating. With frosting, sprinkles, and plenty of creativity, each child designed a cookie that was as colorful and unique as they are. It was a sweet, hands-on activity that brought out lots of smiles—and maybe a few sticky fingers!

🎅 Pictures With Santa

To make the morning even more special, we had a very special visitor—Santa Claus himself! The children were so excited to share their holiday wishes and pose for photos. Their faces lit up with wonder as they met Santa, creating memories we know families will treasure for years to come.

As we wrap up this festive week, our hearts are full. We are incredibly thankful for our families, whose support, warmth, and involvement make our community truly special. The holidays remind us how lucky we are to share these moments together, and we look forward to even more joy in the coming season.

Tis the Season to be Jolly at AOW! 🎄

 

🎄 December Cheer at Our Preschool!

The holiday season is in full swing, and our preschool has been buzzing with joy, imagination, and lots of festive fun! This week, our friends enjoyed activities that sparked creativity, encouraged writing skills, and spread plenty of Christmas cheer. Here’s a peek at what we’ve been up to!

🧦 Christmas Sock Day

Our halls were filled with the silliest, coziest, and most colorful socks you can imagine! From sparkly snowflakes to jingling reindeer, the children loved showing off their festive footwear.

We spent time comparing patterns, counting stripes, and even having a little “sock parade” around the classroom to celebrate everyone’s fun holiday style.

✉️ Writing Letters to Santa

One of the sweetest moments this week was watching the children write their Letters to Santa. With crayons, stickers, and lots of imagination, each child created a special note filled with wishes, drawings, and heartfelt messages.

❤️ Wrapping Up With Holiday Spirit

December is a time of wonder, creativity, and togetherness, and your children have filled our classrooms with all three. Thank you for sharing their excitement with us and helping make these moments so memorable—whether it’s sending them in with their festive socks or encouraging their Santa letters at home.

Wishing all our preschool families a cozy, cheerful, and joy-filled holiday season! 🎅✨

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.