Dress Your Best Day!

At AoML, we love creating experiences that allow children to celebrate who they are and shine in their own unique ways. This month, our classrooms are focusing on the theme All About Me—a unit designed to help children explore their individuality, recognize their strengths, and appreciate what makes each of their friends special.

To bring this theme to life, we held Dress Your Best Day yesterday, and it was such a joyful celebration! From the moment children walked through the doors, the atmosphere was full of excitement. Outfits ranged from bow ties and suspenders to sparkly shoes, princess dresses, and favorite “fancy” shirts. Some children chose clothing that made them feel confident, while others picked outfits that highlighted their playful personalities. No matter what they wore, the pride and joy they felt radiated throughout the building.

For our students, dressing their best was about more than just putting on nice clothes. It was about expressing themselves and showing a little piece of their personality to their teachers and friends. These small moments of self-expression are what make the All About Me theme so impactful.

Special days like this give children the opportunity to build confidence, practice social skills, and deepen their sense of belonging. They also help us, as teachers and caregivers, better understand how each child sees themselves and what makes them feel proud. By celebrating individuality in ways that are playful and memorable, we create meaningful connections that children carry with them both inside and outside of the classroom.

We are so thankful to our AoML families for helping their little ones prepare for this special day. Your support makes it possible for us to create these fun experiences that are both educational and heartwarming. The creativity, joy, and personality your children brought to Dress Your Best Day will be remembered for a long time!

Be sure to check our Instagram page for more photos—we captured so many wonderful moments. @academyofmccrorylane

Masterpieces at McCrory

The month of August at The Academy of McCrory Lane was filled with color, imagination, and discovery as our students explored the theme of art. For weeks, our classrooms became little studios where children tried new materials, discovered favorite styles, and spent time finding their “muse.”

Throughout the month, children experimented with painting, drawing, sculpture, and even collaborative projects. They learned that art isn’t about perfection, it’s about expressing ideas, emotions, and creativity in a way that’s uniquely their own. Some children were drawn to bold colors, others to careful details, and still others to abstract designs that sparked conversation and wonder.

At the end of the month, we proudly shared this journey with families at our schoolwide Art Show. Each classroom displayed their projects, turning our hallways into galleries filled with self-portraits, group murals, clay creations, and imaginative masterpieces. The best part was watching our young artists light up as they guided their families through the displays, proudly showing off their work and explaining what inspired them.

Spending a full month on this theme gave children the chance to dive deeper into the artistic process
experimenting, practicing, and developing confidence in their ability to create. Beyond creativity, art also supported their fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities, and social-emotional growth.

The Art Show was a true celebration of everything our children accomplished during August. We are so proud of the creativity and joy that filled our classrooms, and we look forward to seeing how these young artists continue to grow and shine throughout the year!

Jumping Into the Curriculum: All About Me

We are thrilled to launch our new curriculum here at The Academy of McCrory Lane, and what better way to begin than with one of our favorite themes—All About Me! This theme is the perfect starting point for a brand-new school year, helping children explore their own identities while building connections with their classmates and teachers.

The All About Me theme gives children the chance to learn about what makes them special and unique. They get to share about their families, their likes and dislikes, their favorite colors, foods, and activities, and even what they want to be when they grow up! These experiences not only help children build confidence, but also create opportunities to celebrate individuality and recognize the special qualities in others.

Throughout the month, our classrooms are filled with engaging, hands-on activities such as:

• Self-Portraits – Encouraging creativity while building fine motor skills.

• Name Recognition Games – Helping children connect letters and sounds to their own names.

• Family Collages – Sharing photos and stories that highlight the people who matter most.

• Show and Tell – Building language skills and confidence as children present something meaningful to them.

• Group Discussions – Encouraging listening, empathy, and celebrating similarities and differences among friends.

Not only is All About Me fun, but it also lays a strong foundation for social-emotional growth. Children learn that while each person is unique, we are all important members of a larger classroom community. This helps promote kindness, acceptance, and the idea that every child has a voice that deserves to be heard.

Families will often notice their children coming home with new stories, projects, and excitement about sharing who they are. We encourage parents to keep the conversation going at home—ask your child what makes them special, talk about family traditions, or even create a little “All About Me” book together.

At The Academy of McCrory Lane, we believe children learn best when they feel safe, valued, and inspired. The All About Me theme is just the beginning of a year filled with meaningful learning, creativity, and joy, and we can’t wait to share more highlights along the way!

A Beat-Filled Day in Our Enrichment Room 🥁🎶

Today, our enrichment room came alive with rhythm, laughter, and the joyful sound of drums! We welcomed a special guest drummer to the Academy of McCrory Lane, who shared his passion for music and introduced our children to the exciting world of percussion.

From the moment the first beat echoed through the room, the children’s faces lit up with excitement. They gathered close, eyes wide, as they explored drums of different shapes, sizes, and sounds. With each demonstration, our guest drummer showed how tempo, volume, and rhythm can change the feeling of a song, sometimes making it lively and energetic, other times slow and soothing.

The children had the chance to become musicians themselves, taking turns tapping out beats, keeping time with the group, and even experimenting with making up their own rhythms. The air was filled with a mix of concentration and giggles, as some beats were perfectly in time while others were joyfully creative.

This hands-on experience was more than just an afternoon of fun. It was an opportunity for deep learning. Musical exploration helps children strengthen listening skills, improve hand-eye coordination, and express themselves in new ways. It also introduces them to the cultural richness of music, as we talked about how drums are played all over the world in celebrations, ceremonies, and everyday life.

One of the sweetest moments was watching hesitant little hands tap gently at first, then grow more confident with each strike of the drum. By the end, the room was filled with bold, joyful rhythms, proof of the magic that happens when children are encouraged to try something new.

We are so thankful to our guest drummer for filling our enrichment room with music and memories today. Experiences like this remind us of why we do what we do, creating moments that inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.

At AoML, we believe every day holds the possibility for discovery, and today that discovery came wrapped in rhythm.

Sandy Castles & Skillful Hands in Pre-K! 🏰

This week in Pre-K, our students took a hands-on approach to creativity and learning—building their very own sandcastles using pipettes, water, and real sand!

Each child was given a printed sandcastle outline and a pipette to carefully trace the lines. With every squeeze and drip of water, they followed the shapes with great focus and care. Once their lines were wet, they sprinkled sand on top, creating beautifully textured castle masterpieces!

But this wasn’t just an art project—it was a meaningful way to strengthen fine motor skills. Using pipettes helps develop the small muscles in the fingers and hands, which are essential for tasks like writing, zipping jackets, and using scissors. Tracing the lines also boosted hand-eye coordination and supported early pre-writing development.

Take a look at these proud artists and their sandy creations! 👇

Learning through play is what Pre-K is all about, and this activity was a perfect example of how something simple can spark creativity, focus, and fun all at once!

Ocean Commotion with Mother Goose! 🌊🪿

What a delightful splash of fun we had this week at AOML—Mother Goose herself came to visit, and she brought along a sea of excitement with her!

Dressed in her iconic bonnet and gown, Mother Goose waddled in with stories, songs, and a whole bundle of energy that had our students wide-eyed with wonder. But this wasn’t just a regular rhyme time—she came to teach us all about Ocean Commotion! 🐠🌊

Through silly rhymes, interactive storytelling, and lots of giggles, our students learned about ocean creatures, the importance of keeping our oceans clean, and how even the smallest fish can make a big splash in their world. From crabby crabs and jiggly jellyfish to sea turtles and waves that whoosh, every moment was filled with learning through laughter.

Our enrichment room turned into an underwater adventures as Mother Goose led the children in playful songs and movement activities that got everyone involved. The joy on their faces was unforgettable!

We are so grateful to Mother Goose for bringing literacy, laughter, and a little ocean magic to our school. It was a reminder that learning can be playful, powerful, and full of wonder.

Until next time, Mother Goose—thanks for making a wave at our school! 🪿💙

Parent's Day Out at AoML

 Our recent "Parent's Day Out" event was a huge success, filled with festive fun and creative activities that both children and parents loved! The day kicked off with ornament-making, where children had a blast decorating their own personalized keepsakes to take home. Next, they crafted reindeer food using oats, glitter, and a dash of magic, perfect for spreading holiday cheer. The highlight of the day was definitely the cookie decorating station, where kids enjoyed adding colorful icing, sprinkles, and creative touches to their sweet treats. It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to express their creativity, all while making lasting memories with friends. Parents were able to enjoy a little extra time to themselves, knowing their children were having a blast in a safe and joyful environment. It truly was a day full of holiday spirit, laughter, and fun!