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.

🌤️ Little Explorers: The Importance of Outdoor Time for Our Infants 🌿

At The Academy, we believe that learning begins the moment a child enters the world — and that includes time spent in the great outdoors! Even our youngest learners, our precious infants, benefit greatly from time outside each day.

For our babies, outdoor time isn’t just fresh air — it’s an opportunity to explore the world in new ways. The warmth of the sun, the feel of a gentle breeze, the sound of birds chirping, and the sight of leaves moving in the wind all help stimulate their senses and support healthy brain development. These experiences help infants begin to understand the world around them through curiosity and wonder.

Time outdoors also gives our infants room to move, stretch, and build strength. Whether they’re reaching for leaves, kicking their legs while lying on a blanket, or practicing their balance while sitting up, nature provides the perfect environment for early motor development. Plus, outdoor play supports better sleep, stronger immune systems, and a calm, happy mood.

Just as importantly, outdoor time creates moments for connection. Our teachers use this time to talk softly with the infants, point out what they see, and share simple words about the world — turning every moment into a mini learning experience. These calm, joyful interactions help nurture both development and the special bond between teacher and child.

At The Academy, we value these peaceful outdoor moments just as much as the busy ones inside. Watching our infants look around, smile at the sunshine, or giggle as the wind brushes their faces reminds us that even the smallest moments can have the biggest impact. 🌼

🐸 A Fun-Filled Visit from Max the Frog! 🎉

This week was full of excitement at The Academy as we welcomed a very special guest — Max the Frog, our school mascot! From the moment Max hopped through the doors, the children’s faces lit up with smiles and laughter. His cheerful energy spread through every classroom, making the day one to remember!

Max wasted no time jumping right into the fun. He joined classrooms for dance parties, showing off his best frog moves and getting everyone up and moving! The music was lively, the giggles were nonstop, and the joy in the room was contagious. Every child had a chance to dance, wave, and share a moment with our favorite green friend.

After the dance parties, Max headed outside to enjoy the sunshine on the playground. The children were thrilled to see him running, hopping, and playing right alongside them. The highlight of the day came when Max climbed to the top of the slide and went down with a big splash of laughter! The playground erupted in cheers — and we’re pretty sure Max had just as much fun as the kids did!

Visits from Max are more than just exciting; they help build our sense of community and connection. His visits remind our students that school is not only a place to learn but also a place filled with friendship, fun, and belonging. Seeing their teachers and friends dance, laugh, and play together creates memories that last far beyond the day.

Max brings out the very best in our Academy family — joy, energy, teamwork, and plenty of smiles. We’re so thankful for his visit and the happiness he brought to everyone he met. We can’t wait for Max to hop back in soon for more hugs, high fives, and adventures! 💛🐸

🎨 Pumpkin Painting Day 🎃

The spirit of fall came alive this week as our students dove into one of our favorite seasonal traditions — Pumpkin Painting Day! The classrooms were filled with laughter, creativity, and color as each child turned an ordinary pumpkin into their own unique masterpiece.

Instead of carving, we brought out the paint, brushes, stickers, and glitter — and let imaginations lead the way! The results were incredible: some pumpkins wore silly faces and bright smiles, others sparkled with glitter and bold patterns, and a few even turned into rainbows, superheroes, and magical creatures.

Beyond the fun, Pumpkin Painting Day offered our students something even more special — the chance to explore their creativity freely. At The Academy, we believe that giving children the space to make their own artistic choices is a powerful way to help them grow. Whether they chose bold colors or gentle strokes, added stripes or polka dots, each decision reflected their individuality and confidence.

Creative freedom allows children to experiment without fear of making mistakes. It teaches problem-solving, encourages self-expression, and helps develop important fine motor skills as they hold brushes, mix colors, and work with different textures. Most importantly, it reminds them that art doesn’t have to look a certain way — it’s all about having fun and expressing themselves!

Show and Tell!

 Show and Tell Day is always such a special time at the Academy! ✨ Our children came to school with big smiles (and sometimes big bags!) as they proudly carried in items that are meaningful to them. From favorite stuffed animals and toys to books, family pictures, and even a few creative homemade treasures, each child had the chance to share something that represents who they are.

This day is about so much more than just bringing an item from home—it’s about building confidence, practicing communication skills, and learning to listen respectfully to our friends. Each child had their moment in the spotlight to stand tall, speak clearly, and answer questions from their classmates. It was wonderful to see how excited they were to share, and equally heartwarming to watch their classmates cheer them on.

Our teachers love incorporating Show and Tell into the curriculum because it encourages children to:

• Strengthen their public speaking skills in a fun and safe way.

• Develop self-confidence by sharing something personal.

• Learn about one another’s interests, which builds empathy and friendships.

• Practice patience and listening as an audience.

We’re so proud of our students for their bravery and excitement! Thank you to all the families who helped their children choose the perfect Show and Tell items—we loved seeing the thought that went into each one. Days like this remind us that learning doesn’t just happen through books and lessons, but also through sharing experiences, building connections, and celebrating each child’s individuality.

We can’t wait for the next Show and Tell! 💛

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!