Aspen Leaf Preschool

Our teachers have been hard at work this week getting their classrooms ready for the new school year. Here are some sneak peeks. We can’t wait to see everyone this week! #reggioclassroom #aspenleafpreschool #reggioemiliaapproach #reggioinspired #learningthroughplay #playbasedlearning #beautifulclassroom #playbasedpreschool #aspenleaf #aspenleafrabbits #aspenleafwallabies #aspenleafhedgehogs #aspenleafpuffins #aspenleafhoneybees #aspenleafpenguins #aspenleaftigers #aspenleafllamas #aspenleafhillcrest #aspenleafnorthpark #outdoorclassroom

Happy teacher appreciation week! Even though we are apart we are sending love to all of our Aspen Leaf teachers. We appreciate all the love and care you have given to our children over the years. Thank you for continuing to create a sense of community even during this time of social distancing. #aspenleafpreschool #aspenleafpandas #aspenleafrabbits #aspenleafwallabies #aspenleafhedgehogs #aspenleafmeerkats #aspenleafbears #aspenleaftigers #aspenleafllamas #aspenleafnorthpark #aspenleafhillcrest #teacherappreciationweek

Glow in the dark egg hunt! This is a great activity for toddlers, preschoolers, and school aged kids. We stuffed plastic eggs with glow sticks and had a night time egg hunt. The kids loved it!

Getting cozy for virtual circle time. At the beginning of the week we weren’t sure how our zoom circle times were going to go, but we’re so glad that we gave it a try. Even though we can’t physically be together, seeing and hearing our friends and teachers on the screen helps us to feel connected and builds our sense of community. #aspenleafpreschool #aspenleafmeerkats #socialdistancing #stayhome

A bucket of dried beans from the sensory bin spilled in the playground right before we closed last week. It looks like the beans are taking advantage of the quiet and stillness in the playground right now. By the time we’re back to school we might have a whole forest of bean stalks! #aspenleafpreschool #aspenleafplayground #naturalplaygrounds #quarantine #socialdistancing

We miss our Aspen Leaf Families! If you’re out for a walk in the neighborhood, bring a piece of chalk and write a message or draw a picture in the parking lot or on the sidewalk. You’re welcome to use a piece of our chalk from the porch or next to the shed but please take it home with you afterwards to avoid spreading germs. #aspenleafpreschool #aspenleafpandas #aspenleafrabbits #aspenleafwallabies #aspenleafhedgehogs #aspenleafmeerkats #aspenleafbears #aspenleaftigers #aspenleafllamas

Even the youngest babe’s benefit from playing in the rain. This little crawler is staying cozy in a full body raincoat #outdoorplay #outdoorclassroom #naturalplayground #scienceexplorations #sensoryplay #learningthroughplay #reggioemilia #aspenleafplayground #teachpreschool #infantteacher #aspenleafmeerkats #infant #aspenleafpreschool #rainyday #letthemplay

In preparation for an art show project, the infant room teachers showed their class how to use a simple camera. Then they let these little photographers snap pictures in the playground. We can’t wait to see what they create! #meaningfullearning #makelearningmeaningful #reggioemilia #teachinginfants #grossmotorplay #aspenleafpreschool #reggioemiliaapproach #reggioinspired #learningthroughplay #playbasedlearning #beautifulclassroom #playbasedpreschool #naturallearningmaterials #aspenleafmeerkats #beautifulclassroom #infantart #preschoolart #infantphotography

Happy holidays to all of our teachers and families! We hope you all enjoy the holiday break! We’ll see you in the new year! #naturalplayground #outdoorclassroom #meaningfullearning #makelearningmeaningful #reggioemiliaapproach #reggioemilia #aspenleafpreschool #teachingpreschool #teachingpreschoolers #preschoolteaching #learningthroughplay #looseparts #loosepartsplay #aspenleafplayground #openendedplay #happyholidays2019 #happyholidays #happynewyear

Letting children take risks during play has so many benefits! Taking risks helps children to build self confidence as they learn what they are capable of. It builds self esteem by showing children that we trust them and their problem solving skills. Risky play decreases anxiety and phobias as children get older. In our society girls are less likely to be exposed to risky play, but studies have shown that they benefit just as much as boys do from taking risks. So let your chil...dren climb, run, tumble, and build. Their capability will amaze you! #riskyplay #riskyplaymatters #naturalplayground #outdoorclassroom #meaningfullearning #makelearningmeaningful #reggioemiliaapproach #reggioemilia #aspenleafpreschool #teachingpreschool #teachingpreschoolers #preschoolteaching #learningthroughplay #looseparts #loosepartsplay #aspenleafplayground #openendedplay #letthemplayinthemud #mudplay See more

This wheelbarrow from Community Playthings is a favorite in the preschool yard. Some of its many uses are giving rides, transporting materials, and testing our muscle strength . #naturalplayground #outdoorclassroom #meaningfullearning #makelearningmeaningful #reggioemiliaapproach #reggioemilia #aspenleafpreschool #teachingpreschool #teachingpreschoolers #preschoolteaching #learningthroughplay #looseparts #loosepartsplay #aspenleafplayground #openendedplay #communityplaythings #grossmotorplay @ Aspen Leaf Preschool

Some people could look at a mud puddle and see an ocean with ships. ~ Zora Neale Hurston *** This puddle has been many things over the past few years. The children are constantly filling it, digging it deeper, building dams, dredging rivers, and forming swamps. To them the possibilities here are endless. As a preschool teacher, one of the most amazing aspects of the job is watching how children use materials and spaces over time. When children have the freedom and time to explore and create, their creativity and innovation shine. I’m always astounded by children’s ability to find new ways to use everyday materials.

We’re loving all the colors and textures in the toddler classroom. The toddler teachers have created such an inviting and cozy space for the kiddos in their classroom. #reggioclassroom #aspenleafpreschool #reggioemiliaapproach #reggioinspired #learningthroughplay #playbasedlearning #beautifulclassroom #playbasedpreschool #aspenleafhedgehogs @ Aspen Leaf Preschool

Glow in the dark egg hunt! This is a great activity for toddlers, preschoolers, and school aged kids. We stuffed plastic eggs with glow sticks and had a night time egg hunt. The kids loved it!

Getting cozy for virtual circle time. At the beginning of the week we weren’t sure how our zoom circle times were going to go, but we’re so glad that we gave it a try. Even though we can’t physically be together, seeing and hearing our friends and teachers on the screen helps us to feel connected and builds our sense of community. #aspenleafpreschool #aspenleafmeerkats #socialdistancing #stayhome

A bucket of dried beans from the sensory bin spilled in the playground right before we closed last week. It looks like the beans are taking advantage of the quiet and stillness in the playground right now. By the time we’re back to school we might have a whole forest of bean stalks! #aspenleafpreschool #aspenleafplayground #naturalplaygrounds #quarantine #socialdistancing

We miss our Aspen Leaf Families! If you’re out for a walk in the neighborhood, bring a piece of chalk and write a message or draw a picture in the parking lot or on the sidewalk. You’re welcome to use a piece of our chalk from the porch or next to the shed but please take it home with you afterwards to avoid spreading germs. #aspenleafpreschool #aspenleafpandas #aspenleafrabbits #aspenleafwallabies #aspenleafhedgehogs #aspenleafmeerkats #aspenleafbears #aspenleaftigers #aspenleafllamas

Even the youngest babe’s benefit from playing in the rain. This little crawler is staying cozy in a full body raincoat #outdoorplay #outdoorclassroom #naturalplayground #scienceexplorations #sensoryplay #learningthroughplay #reggioemilia #aspenleafplayground #teachpreschool #infantteacher #aspenleafmeerkats #infant #aspenleafpreschool #rainyday #letthemplay

In preparation for an art show project, the infant room teachers showed their class how to use a simple camera. Then they let these little photographers snap pictures in the playground. We can’t wait to see what they create! #meaningfullearning #makelearningmeaningful #reggioemilia #teachinginfants #grossmotorplay #aspenleafpreschool #reggioemiliaapproach #reggioinspired #learningthroughplay #playbasedlearning #beautifulclassroom #playbasedpreschool #naturallearningmaterials #aspenleafmeerkats #beautifulclassroom #infantart #preschoolart #infantphotography

Happy holidays to all of our teachers and families! We hope you all enjoy the holiday break! We’ll see you in the new year! #naturalplayground #outdoorclassroom #meaningfullearning #makelearningmeaningful #reggioemiliaapproach #reggioemilia #aspenleafpreschool #teachingpreschool #teachingpreschoolers #preschoolteaching #learningthroughplay #looseparts #loosepartsplay #aspenleafplayground #openendedplay #happyholidays2019 #happyholidays #happynewyear

Letting children take risks during play has so many benefits! Taking risks helps children to build self confidence as they learn what they are capable of. It builds self esteem by showing children that we trust them and their problem solving skills. Risky play decreases anxiety and phobias as children get older. In our society girls are less likely to be exposed to risky play, but studies have shown that they benefit just as much as boys do from taking risks. So let your chil...dren climb, run, tumble, and build. Their capability will amaze you! #riskyplay #riskyplaymatters #naturalplayground #outdoorclassroom #meaningfullearning #makelearningmeaningful #reggioemiliaapproach #reggioemilia #aspenleafpreschool #teachingpreschool #teachingpreschoolers #preschoolteaching #learningthroughplay #looseparts #loosepartsplay #aspenleafplayground #openendedplay #letthemplayinthemud #mudplay See more

This wheelbarrow from Community Playthings is a favorite in the preschool yard. Some of its many uses are giving rides, transporting materials, and testing our muscle strength . #naturalplayground #outdoorclassroom #meaningfullearning #makelearningmeaningful #reggioemiliaapproach #reggioemilia #aspenleafpreschool #teachingpreschool #teachingpreschoolers #preschoolteaching #learningthroughplay #looseparts #loosepartsplay #aspenleafplayground #openendedplay #communityplaythings #grossmotorplay @ Aspen Leaf Preschool

Some people could look at a mud puddle and see an ocean with ships. ~ Zora Neale Hurston *** This puddle has been many things over the past few years. The children are constantly filling it, digging it deeper, building dams, dredging rivers, and forming swamps. To them the possibilities here are endless. As a preschool teacher, one of the most amazing aspects of the job is watching how children use materials and spaces over time. When children have the freedom and time to explore and create, their creativity and innovation shine. I’m always astounded by children’s ability to find new ways to use everyday materials.

We’re loving all the colors and textures in the toddler classroom. The toddler teachers have created such an inviting and cozy space for the kiddos in their classroom. #reggioclassroom #aspenleafpreschool #reggioemiliaapproach #reggioinspired #learningthroughplay #playbasedlearning #beautifulclassroom #playbasedpreschool #aspenleafhedgehogs @ Aspen Leaf Preschool

Sneak peek of the Hillcrest classrooms! Can’t wait for Monday!! #reggioclassroom #aspenleafpreschool #reggioemiliaapproach #reggioinspired #learningthroughplay #playbasedlearning #aspenleafbears #aspenleafllamas #aspenleaftigers

Sneak peek of the new North Park classrooms. We’re so excited for the new school year!! #reggioclassroom #aspenleafpreschool #reggioemiliaapproach #reggioinspired #learningthroughplay #playbasedlearning #beautifulclassroom #playbasedpreschool #aspenleafpandas #aspenleafrabbits #aspenleafwallabies #aspenleafhedgehogs #aspenleafmeerkats @ Aspen Leaf Preschool