Color Run Fun!

We laced up our shoes and hit the course for one of the most colorful days at Academy of McCrory Lane! Our kiddos had an absolute blast during our Color Run - running, laughing, cheering on their friends, and getting covered from head to toe in every color of the rainbow! With each lap around the course came another splash of color, even bigger smiles, and lots of excitement! By the end of the run, there wasn't a clean in sight! 

One of our favorite parts of the afternoon was having so many of our families join us to cheer on their little runners. Our kiddos loved showing off how fast they could run, stopping for plenty of color along the way, and hearing everyone cheering them on from the sidelines. There was so much laughter, energy and fun throughout the entire afternoon! 

At AoML, we love having creating experiences that allow our kids to just be kids! Whether we're getting messy, trying something new, celebrating together, or enjoying one of our special events, we want their days with us to be filled with moments they'll be excited to tell their families about when they get home. 

Our Color Run was the perfect way to get outside, get moving, spend time with our friends, and make some pretty colorful memories together. We may still be finding a little color here and there, but we wouldn’t have it any other way! 

We are so thankful to all of our families who came out and helped make the afternoon even more special. Seeing our Academy families laughing, cheering, and having fun right alongside us is one of the best parts of events like these!

There was so much laughter, so many smiles, and LOTS of color. Safe to say, Color Run 2026 was one for the books!

At AoML, we love having events like these that our kiddos — and their families — will be talking about long after the color washes off!

Splash Day Fun!

 We kicked off our first Splash Day of the season and had an absolute blast! ☀️💦

Our playground was filled with smiles, laughter, and plenty of opportunities to cool off as children enjoyed a variety of water activities with their classmates. There is nothing better than seeing our friends make memories, build friendships, and enjoy the excitement of summer together.

Splash Days provide more than just fun—they encourage active play, help children develop coordination and confidence, and create engaging sensory experiences that support learning through exploration.

A huge thank you to our families for sending children prepared and ready to participate. Your support helps make days like these possible!

We are looking forward to many more Splash Days throughout the summer and can't wait to see what adventures the season brings. Be sure to check out today's photos to see all the fun in action! 📸☀️🌈

Here's to a summer full of laughter, learning, and lots of splashes! 💙💦☀️

Amazing Critters in PreK 1! 🐾🐍🌿

 Our PreK 1 class with Mrs. B has been having so much fun diving into our Amazing Critters curriculum this week!

The classroom has been full of excitement as students explore the world of animals through hands-on activities and imaginative play. One of their favorite activities has been creating animal prints, where they learned how different animals leave unique tracks behind.

Mrs. B’s class also brought out their adventurous side by pretending to catch a snake! This fun and engaging activity encouraged teamwork, movement, and lots of giggles as they explored how critters move in the wild.

To wrap it all together, the class is creating a garden to show where different critters may live. This has helped students begin making connections between animals and their habitats in a meaningful, creative way.

We love seeing our PreK 1 students so engaged, curious, and excited to learn. Way to go, Mrs. B and friends!

A Special Police Officer Visit 🚓

This month, our students had an exciting visit from a local police officer as part of our Safe and Healthy curriculum! The children were thrilled to welcome a real community helper into the classroom and learn all about staying safe.

The officer talked with the students about important safety rules, including how to stay safe at school, at home, and in the community. The children learned when to ask a trusted adult for help, what to do if they feel unsafe, and how police officers work every day to help keep everyone safe. There were lots of great questions, big smiles, and curious minds during the visit!

This experience was especially important because it helped bring our safety lessons to life. Meeting a police officer in a friendly and positive setting helps children feel comfortable, confident, and supported. It also helps them understand that police officers are helpers they can trust when they need assistance.

We are thankful to our local police department for taking the time to visit and for helping make learning about safety fun, meaningful, and memorable for our students!

Breakfast with Santa!

This past Saturday, our school was filled with holiday cheer as families joined us for our annual Breakfast with Santa event. From the moment guests arrived, the space was buzzing with excitement, festive decorations, and the joyful spirit of the season.

Families enjoyed a delicious breakfast together while children eagerly waited for a very special visitor. When Santa arrived, smiles lit up the room! Children were thrilled to meet Santa, share their holiday wishes, and take photos to capture the moment.

In addition to visiting with Santa, children participated in fun, hands-on holiday activities. They enjoyed decorating ornaments to take home and writing letters to Santa, sharing their wishes and practicing early writing skills. These activities added an extra layer of creativity and holiday magic to the morning.

One of the most heartwarming moments was when Santa surprised each child with a stuffed animal to take home. The smiles and hugs made it a truly memorable experience for everyone. We also loved watching our families connect, meet one another, and spend quality time together in a warm and welcoming environment.

Breakfast with Santa was a wonderful way to celebrate the season, build community, and create lasting memories for our families. Thank you to all the families who attended and helped make this morning so special!

Preschool 5 Builds Fine Motor Skills ✨

Our Preschool 5 students had a wonderful time practicing their fine motor skills with a hands-on activity that was both fun and educational! The children worked on stringing connecting cubes onto pipe cleaners, an activity that helps strengthen finger dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and focus—skills that are essential for everyday tasks like writing, drawing, and using scissors.

As the students carefully threaded each cube, they also explored important early math concepts. Many children practiced creating patterns with the cubes, such as alternating colors or making sequences, while others focused on counting and color recognition. This simple activity turned into a playful learning experience that combined math, creativity, and fine motor development. The classroom was buzzing with excitement, concentration, and lots of laughter!

Beyond the fine motor and pattern skills, this activity also encouraged patience, persistence, and problem-solving. Children learned how to adjust their grip, slow down, and focus on the task at hand—important skills for building confidence and independence. Seeing the pride on their faces as they completed their patterned strings of cubes was truly heartwarming.

Activities like this show just how much children can learn through hands-on exploration and play. Our Preschool 5 students not only strengthened their fine motor skills but also practiced counting, colors, patterns, and creativity—all while having a blast! It’s amazing to see how engaged and enthusiastic our students are when learning is interactive and fun.

A Slice of Fall Fun! 🥧

This week in our preschool classroom, our two-year-olds dove into one of the most meaningful (and joyful) early childhood activities: finger painting, as they created their very own “pumpkin pie” art. While it may look like simple messy fun, finger painting is actually an essential part of learning and development at this age. Toddlers make sense of the world through their senses, and finger painting provides a rich sensory experience. The cool, smooth texture of the paint, the motion of spreading it, and the freedom to explore all support healthy brain development. These sensory moments help children form connections, build understanding, and gain confidence through hands-on learning.

Finger painting also supports important fine motor development. When children dip their fingers into paint, swirl it around, or make small tapping motions, they are strengthening the muscles in their hands and fingers, muscles they will later use for writing, dressing themselves, and manipulating small objects. It is also a wonderful way to encourage creativity and self-expression. At two years old, children may not always have the words to explain what they are thinking or feeling, but through art they can explore colors, shapes, and movement in their own unique way. Best of all, finger painting is open-ended, with no right or wrong approach, which helps build independence and confidence.

Our pumpkin pie project brought all of this learning to life. The children loved swirling orange paint onto their “pie plates,” experimenting with big circles, tiny dots, and everything in between. Some used whole-hand motions, while others delicately dipped one finger at a time. After creating their “pumpkin filling,” they added a fluffy cotton-ball whipped cream topping, which provided another fun fine motor challenge. Each pie turned out beautifully, and it was wonderful to see how differently each child interpreted the same materials.

Activities like this remind us how powerful simple experiences can be for young learners. A bit of paint, a little mess, and a whole lot of exploration can spark creativity, strengthen developing skills, and bring joy to the classroom. We are so proud of our little artists and excited to share their festive fall creations with families.