Accepting responsibility and self-discipline which leads to a more independent and self-sufficient child are important goals of our program. All share in preparing and putting away. Each week every child is assigned to a new “job” as a helper. Puzzles and games are good for reading readiness: pegboards and beads increase manual dexterity. Generally each of our toys have a purpose. Music covers many area—listening, singing, rhythm, instruments, movement, dancing and games. We have tape recorders, phonographs, autoharp, keyboard, xylophone, piano and small musical instruments.
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A typical day is divided into the following short periods: Free play, rhythms, art, games, creative movement, story, clean-up, snack and circle time. Each of the five rooms are designated for a special purpose: art, manipulative toys, books, records and science, housekeeping, blocks, water and sand play and large motor play. Each class utilizes each room at a specified time each day.
Communication between home and school is important to your child’s successful school development. A mid-year conference is scheduled, but you will also receive the teacher’s telephone number if you wish to discuss your child’s progress. The teacher will feel comfortable to do the same. Also there are monthly newsletters to go home, as well as daily chats with parents and meetings may be scheduled at any time. We encourage parents to observe their child at school, meet regularly with teachers and participate in field tips, holiday functions and parent meetings.
A happy child is our prime goal. We are concerned with the individual-with his/her social, emotional, physical and intellectual development. Creativity, experience and exploration are the key words for broadening the base of understanding. Each child has his own readiness levels and must be considered as a total personality. Children of this age need a safe, secure, dependable and loving environment to explore, to discover, to develop friendships and to build mutual respect and caring for others.
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Our religious content is intended to develop awareness and understanding of Judaism as it relates to the child and his home. All Jewish holidays are studied. The Rabbi visits each Friday to celebrate the Sabbath with candles, challah, grape juice and appropriate blessings. A repertoire of simple Jewish songs are learned. It is a happy time to help develop a positive feeling for Judaism.
PRESCHOOL/TODDLER RATES AND REGISTRATION FORMS:
Preschool ages: 2.9 and up
Preschool 2010-2011 Application
Toddler ages: 15 month to 2.9
PS Toddler 2010-2011 Application
Activities
Activities are correlated to a unit or theme we are covering and are integrated into a variety of learning experiences. Areas of focus may be creative movement, drama, games, music, language arts, poetry, books, chants, science, math, cooking and art. The objective is to develop ageappropriate academic and social skills as well as creativity through the arts.
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Our art projects utilize paint, paper, scissors, crayons, clay, chalk, paste and various collage material. Various uses of these mediums will be explored. As the child’s muscles develop, the materials will be handled with increasing ability. Easel painting is a daily activity. Freedom of expression is always encouraged and usually a few projects will be offered each day. The teachers suggest and guide, but the work is that of the child.
Our projects are simple—at the level of the child to encourage “I’ll try” instead of “I can’t.”
Play
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Dramatic play is continually taking place at the housekeeping corner which is outfitted with various pieces of play furniture and dress-up clothes. There are also areas of social interchange. The children learn many finger plays and frequently dramatize stories read to them as well.
There is an area designated for blocks, a sand table and water table. Science and nature are studied through simple understanding and experiments. Some of the areas covered are magnets, water, sound, air, seasons, weather and the five senses. Health and safety are continuous parts of our program. We cook in school to develop measuring and sensory concepts as well as pure enjoyment.
Learning
Cultural and social concepts are developed through a study of family and community. Various field trips and visitors to school broaden the experience of the children. We attempt to plan something each month.
Mathematical concepts are learned differently at various levels. Numbers are not taught by rote. Every day classroom experiences enable the child to understand the meaning of numbers. Math ideas are developed through games, manipulative materials, cooking, etc.
The language arts program develops listening and verbal skills. Vocabulary and sentence structure become more proficient. Class discussions help children overcome speech immaturities. Experience charts are used to show that what we speak may be written and read. “Big Books” help children recognize such concepts as reading from left to right.
Play is the most important way that young children learn about the world and one another. We provide a variety of materials and experiences to stimulate learning through play, therefore encouraging social development, making decisions, persisting at a job, etc.
Outdoor play is very important and we are outdoors each day, weather permitting. Running, jumping and climbing are encouraged.
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