August 11th, 2025

Last week in our classroom: zoo theme🦁 🐯 🐵 🐘

Last week’s theme was zoo!

Sensory table:

filler (rice)
small manipulative (Dollar Tree zoo confetti)
Learning Resources tongs
Cups for scooping

Activities:

Play dough Exhibits – Open-ended learning with play dough, popsicle sticks, and zoo animals. Some kiddos pretended their animals were eating, others built fences and enclosures — the possibilities are endless!
Snake Sticker Patterns – Each student followed along with sticker dots to create a pattern on their snakes. Our 1st grader even got to cut the crafts for her younger friends — a sweet chance to lead and feel proud!
Ziploc Bag Rescue – Practicing real-life skills like opening your own snack bags might sound simple, but it’s powerful prep for kindergarten — all through play!
Animal Cracker Counting – Learning tastes better when it’s hands-on! Students rolled dice, counted that number of animal crackers, and enjoyed their math snack

For all things ZOO to do this at home/your preschool - check out our Amazon List.

A Tip from Your Preschool Teacher!

Wondering how to help your toddler feel comfortable and confident on their first day of preschool?
One of the best ways to explore their new home away from home is through a Back to School Scavenger Hunt.

This year’s event is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom–themed and designed to help your child discover every special corner of Playschool while meeting new friends and teachers. Here’s what’s in store:

1. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Scavenger Hunt

Through playful rhymes and clues, children will visit different areas of Playschool, including:

Our trees in the reading nook, where they’ll place their family photo
A sensory play station for hands-on exploring
Driveway toys for active play
Our outdoor playset area

This gives little learners the chance to explore their preschool environment before the first day — reducing first-day jitters and making the transition smoother.

2. Photo Op

Starting preschool is a big milestone! We’ll have a special backdrop that reads:

“A told B and B told C, this is where you’re meant to be!”

Families can take a keepsake photo to remember the excitement of this new beginning.

3. Building Preschool Friendships & Parent Connections

Our scavenger hunt isn’t just about finding clues — it’s about building community. Parents can connect with other families, and children can meet future classmates in a fun, low-pressure environment.

Download the free Chicka Chicka Boom Boom scavenger hunt for your preschool by signing up for our blog above!

To this week from our partners: Our daily playschool flow

While we’re gearing up to kick off our September partnership content, last week we gave you a peek inside with our Playschool tour — and this week, we’re sharing a behind-the-scenes look at our daily flow.

A consistent routine helps children feel safe, confident, and ready to learn — and our day is filled with opportunities to explore, create, and connect.

Here’s what a typical day looks like at Allie’s Playschool:

7:30–8:00 → Drop-Off & Hellos
8:00–8:30 → Breakfast together
8:30–9:00 → Exploration time
9:00–9:30 → Circle Time (songs, stories, sharing)
9:30–10:00 → Arts & Crafts or Sensory Play + Morning Snack
10:00–10:15 → Potty Break
10:15–10:45 → Small Group Centers & More Exploration
10:45–11:00 → Clean Up & Nap Prep
11:00–11:45 → Outdoor Play
12:00–12:30 → Lunch
12:30–1:00 → Potty Break & Reading Time
1:00–3:00 → Quiet Time/Nap
3:00–3:45 → Potty Break, Bed Cleanup & Exploration
4:00 → Afternoon Snack
4:30 → Pick-Up

Our days are designed to balance structured learning with child-led exploration, giving little learners both the security of routine and the joy of discovery.