Shamrocks, Smiles, and So Much Fun!

St. Patrick’s Day was full of magic, laughter, and a little bit of mischief here at the Academy of Westhaven! Our classroom was transformed into a festive sea of green as our friends arrived dressed in their best St. Patrick’s Day outfits, ready for a day of fun and learning.

One of the highlights of the day was creating our very own leprechaun traps! The children worked so hard designing and building their traps, using their creativity and problem-solving skills to try and catch one of those tricky little leprechauns. We saw everything from colorful boxes to cleverly disguised “bait,” and the excitement was contagious as everyone wondered if their trap would work overnight!

We also mixed in plenty of learning with our celebrations. The children participated in ABC identifying games, where they practiced recognizing letters in a fun, hands-on way. As they successfully identified their letters, they were rewarded with shiny “gold coins,” which made the activity even more exciting and engaging.

Another favorite activity was our “Catch the Leprechaun’s Rainbow” game! Armed with sticky hands, the children tried to catch pieces of the rainbow as they flew through the air. There was so much laughter and joy as they jumped, reached, and cheered each other on.

It was truly a day filled with smiles, creativity, and festive fun. Our friends had an amazing time celebrating together, and we loved seeing their excitement in every activity.

Thank you, parents, for your continued support and for sharing your wonderful children with us. We love spending our days with your kiddos and feel so lucky to be part of their learning and growth!

Celebrating Read Across America Week: A Dr. Seuss Adventure! 📚🎩

 

Celebrating Read Across America Week: A Dr. Seuss Adventure! 

This week at the Academy of Westhaven we had so much fun celebrating Read Across America Week with a special Dr. Seuss themed spirit week! Our classrooms were filled with laughter, imagination, and lots of wonderful stories as the children explored the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss.

We kicked off the week with Mustache Monday inspired by The Lorax! The children had so much fun wearing their silly mustaches while learning about caring for our Earth and reading the beloved story together. It was a great way to start the week with giggles and meaningful conversations.

Next was Fox in Socks Day, and the kiddos came ready to show off their craziest socks! From bright colors to fun patterns, we saw so many creative choices. We enjoyed reading Fox in Socks and practicing some of the silly tongue twisters that made everyone laugh.

Midweek we celebrated “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” Day, where children wore shirts from their favorite places. Whether it was a vacation spot, a favorite team, or a special destination, the kids loved sharing about places that are meaningful to them while talking about all the amazing places their futures may take them.

Of course, we couldn’t have Dr. Seuss week without Cat in the Hat Day! Many children came dressed in red, white, and black to celebrate this classic story. We read The Cat in the Hat together and talked about all the silly adventures the Cat brings wherever he goes.

To wrap up our wonderful week, we ended with a cozy Pajama Day! The children came comfy and ready to relax with their favorite books. It was the perfect way to finish a week filled with storytelling, imagination, and a love for reading.

Throughout the week, the children truly enjoyed diving into the colorful and creative stories of Dr. Seuss. These books sparked laughter, curiosity, and a wonderful reminder of how magical reading can be.

Thank you to our families for helping your children participate in the fun and for supporting a love of learning at home. We are so thankful to share these joyful moments with your children and our amazing school community. 

Season of LOVE here at Academy of Westhaven!

 February was filled with laughter, music, frosting, and so much love at our preschool! We were thrilled to celebrate Valentine’s Day with our wonderful students and families through two very special events — our Sweetheart Dance and our Valentine’s Day Classroom Parties.

Our Sweetheart Dance was truly a magical evening! The room was filled with music, giggles, and smiling faces as our littles danced the night away with their friends and families. From twirls and spins to big bear hugs, it was heartwarming to see everyone enjoying such a special time together.

The decorations set the perfect festive mood, and the excitement was contagious from the moment families walked through the doors. Watching our preschoolers light up while sharing the dance floor with the people they love most was a beautiful reminder of how special our school community truly is.

One of the sweetest highlights of the evening was cupcake decorating! Families gathered around tables filled with frosting, sprinkles, and plenty of creativity. Each cupcake became a unique masterpiece — almost too cute to eat!

It was such a joy seeing parents and children working side-by-side, laughing, and creating memories together. The combination of dancing, decorating, and simply enjoying good company made the evening unforgettable.

Our Valentine’s Day celebrations continued in the classroom with our festive parties! The excitement in the air was undeniable as students arrived with their valentines ready to share with their friends.

We practiced kindness, friendship, and generosity as children exchanged cards and treats. There were proud smiles as they placed valentines into decorated boxes and heartfelt “Happy Valentine’s Day!” wishes shared all around.

Beyond the cards and goodies, what made the day truly meaningful were the memories created — the laughter during games, the joy of celebrating friendships, and the simple happiness of being together.

To our amazing preschool families — thank you for your continued support, enthusiasm, and partnership. Events like these are only possible because of you. Your involvement helps create a warm, connected community where our children feel loved and celebrated.

We are so grateful for the opportunity to make these sweet memories with you and your littles. We look forward to many more special moments together in the months ahead!

Little Learners with Big Hearts!

 At our preschool, we believe that learning is most meaningful when it’s rooted in connection—and that’s exactly what our Frog Street Curriculum brings to life each day. This month, our toddlers have been diving into a very special theme: families.

Through Frog Street, our toddlers explore big ideas in age-appropriate, joyful ways. As we talked about families, children shared who is in their family, learned that families can look different, and discovered that what truly matters is love, care, and togetherness. These conversations help build social-emotional skills, empathy, and a strong sense of belonging.

Just like families at home, our classes learn, grow, help one another, and celebrate together. The children practiced teamwork, patience, and cooperation—skills that Frog Street intentionally weaves into every activity.

Creating a Footprint Mural Masterpiece: 

To bring this theme to life, our toddlers worked together on a footprint mural—and it was pure magic. Each child added their own colorful footprints, and together they created one large, meaningful piece of art.

This activity wasn’t just about paint and paper. It was about:

Working together toward a shared goal

Seeing how individual contributions matter

Creating something beautiful as a group

Just like a family, every footprint was unique—but together, they formed a stunning masterpiece that represents our classroom community!

Moments like these are why we love the Frog Street Curriculum. It supports the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally—while creating experiences that children truly connect with.

We’re so proud of our toddlers and the love, teamwork, and creativity they showed this month. Thank you for being part of our extended school family and for trusting us with your little ones each day. 💕

We can’t wait to see what we’ll create together next!

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!