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Curriculum
Our comprehensive and developmentally appropriate program is designed to promote each child's intellectual, social, physical and emotional growth. All learning experiences and activities are skill-based and goal oriented, so that the children grow with everything that they do.
The curriculum is based on age-appropriate developmentally accepted practice. Each classroom set up is comprised of learning centers which include books, art, dramatic play, blocks, manipulative and scientific discovery. The centers allow children to have choices and to actively explore their environment. Each center has a specific aim which helps facilitate the children's emotional, cognitive and physical growth.
Planning for classroom activities involves consideration to the age appropriateness of the group and the individual aptness for each child. Being cognizant that every child learns differently, we utilize a variety of mediums to teach each lesson. Children's interests are explored through inquiry and research methods. We integrate an emergent curriculum approach into a thematic approach to create a synthesis of learning experiences that allow for guided and individualized educational opportunities.
Cognition:
We encourage children to develop self-motivation and active investigational skills through questioning, exploring and observing the world around them. Thinking and problem solving abilities are needed to thrive in a world of challenges and competition. Children are surrounded by books, literacy experiences and exposure to the alphabet to prepare them for reading and writing that follows.
Socialization:
Children are encouraged to work and play with others, develop communication skills, and respect the rights and privacy of peers.
Physical Development:
The curriculum provides opportunities to develop gross and fine motor skills, in addition to developing finger and hand strength, dexterity, and arm-eye and body coordination.
Emotional Development:
Children are encouraged to develop positive self-concept, understand the difference between right and wrong and to develop a sense of responsibility. They are taught to respect people's differences and to respond appropriately to others and express their feelings constructively.
Integrating Traditions and Jewish Pride:
Lessons and activities are designed to allow children to learn from the from the world around them. Holidays, Parsha, mitzvot, national celebrations, weather changes and seasonal animal habits are brought into the classroom at the particular time of the year they fall. All activities are laced into a general curriculum to provide the mathematical and literacy skills and knowledge necessary to excel in elementary school as they explore the world around them.
For example, during the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, children learn about the tradition to dip apples into honey. the holiday is explored across the entire curriculum when experiment with apples, graph their favorite variety, sort apples by color, and weigh and measure different apple varieties. They learn about honeybees and how honey is made, as well as experience honey with their five senses.
Sample Day
Throughout the day, children are engaged in the following activities:
Group Time:
Children gather together at circle time to greet their classmates and teachers. Thematic topics are explored as a group and will be reinforced during center time through a small group activity. We begin our early math readiness skills through discussions and activities related to the calendar,object to number correspondence, sequencing, sorting and schedules. Literacy skills are introduces through a theme related activity.
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