Corn Stamping Into November!

 

This week, our classroom explored a festive and hands-on Corn Stamping Craft to celebrate the season of fall during this month of November. Using real corn cobs dipped in vibrant autumn paint colors, the children created beautiful patterns and textures that showcased their creativity. They enjoyed experimenting with different color combinations and observing the unique prints each cob made, turning a simple art activity into an exciting sensory experience.

Beyond the fun of painting, this activity supported important areas of early development. Children practiced fine motor coordination as they gripped and pressed the corn, building strength and control in their hands and fingers — essential skills for writing later on. They also engaged in cognitive learning by predicting patterns, comparing shapes, and exploring cause and effect as they stamped. Additionally, the open-ended nature of the craft encouraged creativity and problem-solving, allowing each child to express individuality through their artwork.

At our school, we value activities that blend creativity with learning. Corn stamping is a wonderful example of how play-based experiences can help children grow, think, and learn while having fun and celebrating the beauty of the season.

 

Reading Is A Real Treat This Halloween!

 

This week, we’re celebrating Halloween with a special read-aloud of “How Do Dinosaurs Say Trick or Treat?” by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague. Ms. Hannah came to visit each of the classrooms to have this special activity. The children have been full of excitement as we dive into this playful story filled with silly dinosaurs learning all about Halloween traditions. From trying on costumes to remembering their manners while trick-or-treating, this book brings laughter and plenty of opportunities for learning!

During our reading, we focus on strengthening the children’s cognitive skills by encouraging them to think deeply and make connections. We ask open-ended questions such as, “What do you think the dinosaur will do next?” or “How do you think the dinosaur feels when it gets too much candy?” These types of questions invite children to think critically, express their ideas, and use problem-solving skills while engaging with the story. It’s also a wonderful way to help them build vocabulary, strengthen listening comprehension, and develop their ability to predict outcomes.

The children love sharing their own Halloween experiences and comparing them to what the dinosaurs do in the book. Through these conversations, they learn that reading is not just about listening—it’s about thinking, imagining, and connecting. This festive story time helps children grow their curiosity, creativity, and confidence as little learners, all while getting into the Halloween spirit!

Enrichment time

Enrichment this week focus's on learning about parts of the body are a fun and important part of early childhood development. With preschool-aged children, these lessons can be introduced through songs, movement games, and interactive storytelling. For example, singing songs like “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” helps children identify body parts while building coordination and memory. Using puzzles, dolls, or posters can also support visual recognition and vocabulary development. Talking about the body in playful, hands-on ways encourages curiosity, language skills, and self-awareness, all while laying the foundation for understanding health and personal care.

 

Open House

We were so excited for Open House! This was a wonderful opportunity for our families to explore our classrooms, meet our caring teachers, and learn more about our play-based learning curriculum. We shared information about our curriculum and conscious discipline, and had information out from SafeSplash Swim School and Coach Kristin out from Dance Mania. 

HULK SMASH SLIME

Slime can have a positive developmental impact on preschool-aged children by supporting sensory exploration, fine motor skills, and early scientific thinking. As children stretch, squeeze, and mold slime, they strengthen the small muscles in their hands and fingers, which are crucial for later skills like writing and self-care tasks. The tactile experience also engages their senses and can be calming, helping with emotional regulation. Additionally, playing with slime introduces basic science concepts like texture, cause and effect, and states of matter, encouraging curiosity and problem-solving. Through guided play, slime can also support language development as children describe their actions and sensations

 

Minion Slime

This week is Disney Week, and our toddlers have been having a fantastic time with their Minion slime! They've been exploring it by squishing, squeezing, and really getting a feel for the texture. 

Slime play is great because it engages multiple senses, enhances fine motor skills, and can even have a calming effect on our little ones minds. 

NOW HIRING

Are you passionate about nurturing young minds and making a lasting impact in early childhood education? The Academy, a leading early childhood developmental center, is looking for dedicated, caring, and enthusiastic individuals to join our team. We offer a supportive work environment, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to be part of a mission-driven organization committed to helping children learn, grow, and thrive. 

If you’re ready to inspire the next generation, we’d love to hear from you!