Preschool of the Arts Charleston

Our Adventurers kicked off a new Weather Study by exploring snow and asking big questions like: How does rain turn into snow?

Through hands-on experiments—rain in a jar, blizzard tornadoes, and building a working thermometer—children investigated temperature, freezing points, and cause-and-effect while strengthening critical thinking skills.

Our dramatic play space became The Weather Channel, where sharing forecasts with pretend microphones supported language development, confidence, and imagination.

Up next: rain, the water cycle, static electricity, and rain-inspired process art!

Learning is in the forecast, and curiosity is always rising!

This week, our students—from our youngest learners at 18 months through our Pre-K friends—explored the meaningful tradition of olive oil in honor of Chanukah.

Through a rich, sensory process, the children pressed, smashed, and crushed olives, discovering how oil is released and then carefully separated. Little hands worked with purpose as they observed changes in texture, color, and smell—turning curiosity into deep learning.

We talked about how oil plays an important role in the story of Chanukah, symbolizing light, perseverance, and hope. By making olive oil themselves, the children were able to connect history and tradition to real-world experiences in a way that felt tangible and meaningful.

Learning comes alive when children are invited to do, wonder, and discover together. 💛

EarlyChildhoodEducation OliveOilInvestigation MeaningfulMoments

✨🕎 Happy Hanukkah from Preschool of the Arts! 🕎✨

This week we celebrated the Festival of Lights and the beautiful miracle of light with a joyful Chanukah celebration alongside our students and families. The children filled our school with music as they sang Hanukkah songs, then rotated through meaningful, hands-on stations that brought tradition and learning together.

From exploring light through simple science experiments, creating festive art, and infusing olive oil, to enjoying delicious latkes and donuts with family, the day was filled with connection, curiosity, and celebration.

Thank you to our families for sharing this special tradition with us and for helping create such a warm and joyful community.

Last week, our students were thrilled to welcome special guests from The Center for Birds of Prey! We met a spectacled owl, a Harris’s hawk, and a kite — and even watched them soar right over our heads!

In preparation for this exciting visit, students across our school studied local birds of prey. We listened to their calls, identified their unique characteristics, and shared our observations:
“The Cooper’s hawk looks like a sting ray.”
“The bald eagle has the same sound as the falcon.”

Our Voyagers class extended their learning through detailed drawings and thoughtful questions. J wondered, “Why does the falcon have a tail?” while another student asked, “Why do owls fly at night?” These curiosities inspired a deeper investigation into nocturnal animals.

Through inquiry, observation, and connection, our young learners continue to see the world with wonder!

🌷 To the Mothers of Preschool of the Arts 🌷

In every hug goodbye, in every lovingly packed lunch,
In the sparkle of a story shared or a quiet, caring touch—
We see your hearts, your strength, your grace,
In every child’s bright, beaming face.

You are the artists behind the scenes,
Painting days with love and dreams.
Your wisdom guides, your laughter cheers,
You shape their days and calm their fears.

Today we honor all you do,
With grateful hearts so full and true.
Thank you for the love you bring—
To our school, our children…everything. 💖

We recently had the pleasure of welcoming our POTA Dads and Dudes to celebrate the special bond between fathers and their little ones! 💙 From shared laughter to hands-on activities, these moments strengthen connections, build confidence, and create lifelong memories.

Thank you to all our amazing Dads and Dudes for being part of our POTA family!

Our broccoli bed is beginning to produce, and the kiddos can’t wait to take their first bite! In the meantime, we relocated a few earthworms from the worm hotel to the garden beds, giving them a new purpose. We also had a fun taste test with fresh herbs and flavorful celery!

The Center for Birds of Prey recently brought wonder and inspiration to Preschool of the Arts with an unforgettable visit!

In preparation for these special guests, children explored local bird species, their habitats, and behaviors. Through hands-on learning, they built nests using recycled materials, painted with feathers, and immersed themselves in the world of birds.

It was a day of discovery, creativity, and unforgettable moments!

One of our favorite process art activities from the past couple of weeks involved a multi-step creative process. The children used squeeze bottles to apply glue, sprinkled salt over the top, and then used pipettes to carefully add watercolors. The result was a stunning display of colorful, textured art—and a wonderful opportunity for the children to explore fine motor skills and artistic expression!