All About Me Week

 

Celebrating Who We Are: Pets, Personalities & Self-Expression 🐾🎨

At preschool, some of the most meaningful learning comes from sharing the things that make each child unique. This week, our friends had the opportunity to talk about their families, express their creativity, and celebrate the people—and pets—that make their worlds special!

🐶 Bring in a Picture of Your Pet

Our friends were so excited to bring in pictures of their beloved pets and share them with their classmates! From playful puppy dogs to cuddly cats and everything in between, each picture gave children a chance to talk about someone special they love at home.

This activity encouraged language development, communication, memory, and social-emotional skills as children described their pets, shared stories, listened to their friends, and discovered similarities and differences between their families. There was plenty of excitement as everyone proudly showed off their furry (and sometimes not-so-furry!) family members!

🎨 Self-Portrait: Celebrating Me!

Creating a self-portrait gave our preschoolers a chance to look closely at what makes them them. As they drew their faces, hair, eyes, smiles, and other special features, they practiced recognizing and representing themselves through art.

Beyond the creativity, self-portraits help children develop self-awareness, fine-motor skills, observation, and confidence. Each portrait was wonderfully unique—just like the little artist who created it!

Our preschoolers had wonderful opportunities to celebrate what makes each of them unique! Through self-portraits and sharing their favorite teddy bears, our friends practiced self-awareness, creativity, communication, and confidence. Each child had the chance to share their personality, stories, and special qualities while connecting with their classmates. Every portrait and teddy bear was wonderfully unique—just like the little personalities behind them!

Grandparents Day at AOMF

Today we celebrated the love of our family tree! While Grandparents Day is officially recognized once a year, all of us here at the Academy of Maryland Farms feel it should be celebrated every day.

Grandparents play such a vital role in our lives, offering unconditional love, emotional stability, and an important connection to our family history. We are so grateful for everything they do!

Bike Safety

 

We love Bike Day at AOMF! Safety is the first step to having fun! Here are some tips to look out for before you hit the trail.

Essential Gear

Helmet: Must sit flat on top of the head, cover the forehead, and buckle securely under the chin. Options like the Retrospec Scout Kids Bike Helmet offer adjustable dial fits for growing riders.
Clothing: Wear bright, neon, or reflective clothes so drivers see the child easily.
Shoes: Always wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes.
Bike Fit and Maintenance
Size: The child must touch both feet flat on the ground while sitting on the seat.
ABCs Check: Inspect air pressure in tires (A), test the brakes (B), and check that the chain moves smoothly (C) before every ride.
Rules of the Road
Location: Keep young children riding on the sidewalk.
Traffic direction: If riding on the street, always go in the same direction as traffic on the right side of the road.
Signals: Stop completely at stop signs and look both ways before crossing any street.

Winston The Saint Bernard Visits

We had a very special visit from a special pup that is like family here at the Academy of Maryland Farms. Winston the Saint Bernard! Here are some sweet photos of Winston visiting with our Director, Assistant Director, and some of the children.

 Saint Bernards are fascinating dogs with a rich history and unique traits. Here are some interesting facts about them:

Origins

• Saint Bernards originated from the Swiss Alps, specifically bred by monks at the Great St. Bernard Pass for rescue missions.

Rescue History

• They are renowned as the first rescue dogs, famous for saving lives in harsh winter conditions.

Physical Characteristics

• These dogs are massive, often weighing between 120 to 180 pounds, with a height of about 26 to 30 inches.

Temperament

• Known for their gentle and friendly demeanor, Saint Bernards are great family pets and are particularly good with children.

Intelligence and Training

• They are intelligent and can be trained for various tasks, including search-and-rescue operations.

Let's Build Week

We are having so much fun during Let's Build week at AOMF. The kids don't even realize they're learning ;) 

STEM construction toys and building activities teach kids fundamental science, technology, engineering, and math concepts through play. They transform abstract ideas into tangible problem-solving tasks, fostering spatial awareness, fine motor skills, and critical thinking from an early age. 

Core Benefits of STEM Construction

Spatial Reasoning: Kids learn how objects fit together, understanding balance, gravity, symmetry, and structural integrity. 
Resilience and Grit: When a block tower falls, children naturally test new methods and learn from trial and error rather than giving up.
Math and Logic: Counting pieces, matching shapes, measuring lengths, and recognizing geometric patterns happen organically during play.
Creativity and Innovation: Open-ended kits allow children to design original architecture, vehicles, or machines from their imagination. 

Why Early Play Matters

Neural Development: Early hands-on building strengthens critical neural pathways before formal school begins.
Fearless Learning: Regular exposure removes the intimidation factor from high-level math and science later in life.
Teamwork: Building together teaches kids how to share materials, negotiate roles, and communicate goals.

If you'd like, tell me the age of the child you are shopping or planning for, and I can recommend the best type of construction kit or specific building activity for their developmental stage.