Although we moved our chicken coop and bunny hutch off the playground, our students still enjoy the experience of caring for baby chicks each year. The chickens and bunnies happily live together and get along well. We raise the chicks from just a few days old and move them into the coop once they have grown their feathers. Along the way, students learn about the chicken life cycle and take pride in collecting the eggs.

Many families purchase our eggs, and any remaining eggs are sold to the public. The proceeds help support the care of our chickens and fund the purchase of art and school supplies. Most importantly, students gain an appreciation for the hard work and dedication required to care for animals. As our chickens and bunnies depend on us, children learn responsibility and develop the skills needed to be thoughtful and dependable caretakers.

Aspen Park Montessori plants a garden on our playground each year. We grow every plant from seed, carefully nurture them, and enjoy the fruits of our hard work together.

Gardens play an important role in preschool settings by giving young children meaningful, hands-on learning experiences. Through planting, watering, and caring for plants, children learn responsibility, patience, and respect for living things. Gardening naturally supports early science skills as children observe growth, weather changes, and life cycles, while also encouraging curiosity and problem-solving.

Preschool gardens also promote healthy habits. Children are more likely to try fruits and vegetables they have grown themselves, helping them develop positive attitudes toward nutrition. Working in the garden strengthens fine and gross motor skills and provides a calming outdoor space that supports social interaction, cooperation, and emotional well-being. Overall, gardens enrich preschool environments by connecting children to nature and supporting their growth academically, socially, and physically.

Our playground has been thoughtfully redesigned to provide a healthy, engaging outdoor environment where children can run, explore, and stay active. With an expansive layout and abundant sunshine, it offers a variety of equipment and play spaces that encourage creativity, imagination, and both independent and cooperative play. One playground features a perimeter running track where children invent games, plan adventures, and enjoy physical challenges. A large concrete area supports bike riding, cart play, water activities, art projects, and child-created games, while a fully covered sandbox allows for year-round sensory play. We also designed and built an obstacle course that strengthens gross motor skills, balance, agility, and problem-solving. During warmer months, children enjoy water play and caring for the playground garden, harvesting fresh vegetables they helped grow. Weather permitting, children spend up to three to four hours outdoors each day, contributing to their love of school and active learning.