🌤️ 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!