Exploring the Snow

Since it was too cold to explore the snow outside, our preschool one class brought the snow inside.  They talked about how it was cold and how they could stick it together to make small snowballs.  They also watched it melt and discussed what happens to snow when it melts and saw how it changed back to water when it melted.

Sand and Water Play

Sand and Water Play Supports a Children's Development

Sensory play – including play with sand, water, Styrofoam peanuts, bubbles, beans, dirt, and other materials – can be an important part of the child care classroom or family child care home. Children exploring in the sensory center are learning some important skills.

• Math and science skills: Sand and water play introduces scientific concepts such as sinking, floating, and changes of state (e.g., dry to wet). Exploring sand, water, and other sensory materials gives children opportunities to practice measuring and explore other math concepts such as more, less, bigger, smaller, and equal.
• Physical development: Children playing with sand and water are practicing eye-hand coordination and using fine motor skills to scoop, sift, funnel, and pour. 
• Social and emotional skills: The sand and water center provides important opportunities for children to practice cooperative play and sharing. It also helps children explore and enjoy the sensory experience of manipulating fluid materials. Digging in sand or splashing water can also reduce the energy level of overexcited children and provide an acceptable way for them to vent anger or frustration.

Healthy Eating the Fun Way!

Healthy eating can be fun, especially for kids when they are able to be involved. Check out these four fun ways for making healthy eating fun!

1. Use cookie cutters to make fun and creative shapes out of fruits and vegetables.  One fun way is to make apples look like donuts and decorate them with granola or nuts. 

2. Add googly eyes to make a snack pop with excitement!

3. Turn a snack into an animal!

4. Involve your children. Let them help cook or get out the ingredients

and talk with them to make it fun and exciting!

Goodbye 2018! Hello 2019!

Everyone at The Academy of Cool Springs wishes you a very Happy New Year!

2019 Goals

2019 is almost here and what better way to start the new year is to set a goal!  We have our goal 2019 banner set up and ready to see how long it will get! We are excited to see what everyone would like to accomplish in 2019, so stop on by and add to the banner!

Red and Green Day

Today was our Red and Green Dress Up Day to get us in the Christmas spirit.  Everyone looked so festive in their colors.

Christmas Family Fun

Christmas is a time of year when families can get together and have some fun! Check out these fun Christmas ideas for some family fun time this holiday season!

1. Go on a Holiday Light Tour-This can be driving to a drive thru light show or simply driving around neighborhoods looking at all of the decorations.

2. Wreath Making-Everybody loves a festive wreath! Take the kids outside for a quick winter walk to gather evergreen branches and pine cones, trim some from the bottom of your Christmas tree or just buy some at the store.

3. Christmas Movies-Spend an afternoon or evening watching Christmas movies or spread out your movie marathon over the course of a week. Let each family member choose a favorite holiday flick to watch with the family.

4. Hot Chocolate Bar-Make some yummy hot chocolate and buy various toppings like marshmallows, whip cream, and crushed candy canes.  Everyone can add what they like to make their own special hot chocolate.

5. Christmas Cookie Decorating-Make various shapes of sugar cookies and have everyone decorate cookies.  Have Christmas music playing in the background to bring in the holiday cheer!