Throughout the day, children are engaged in the following activities:
GROUP ATTENDANCE/CALENDAR:
The children gather together at circle time as we greet all our classmates. Our goal is to become a school family as we “check in” with one another. We begin early math readiness skills through our discussions about the day, month and year during calendar time.
SHOW AND TELL/SHARING:
The children are assigned a day each week for the entire school year. They are encouraged to bring an item from home to show and share with the class or something special they have made. The teacher or students will ask questions about their selection. It is through show and tell that children acquire expanded language skills and the class, as a whole, gains valuable listening skills as well. Your children will also begin to build self-confidence and self esteem as they share their unique selections.
FREE PLAY:
Play is a vehicle of growth for the young child. During free play, children learn to interact with each other and play cooperatively. Playtime affords a child the opportunity to share, think and to problem solve. Play is hard work for the 3, 4 and 5 year olds. A variety of toys in the classroom encourages children to use their wonderful imaginations and build upon their creative, dramatic play while developing their gross and fine motor skills.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION:
Our students participate in outdoor and indoor activities. During the weekly gym program children enjoy developing their large motor skills, further developing the eye/hand coordination and eye/foot coordination. Several of the games we play involve working as a team. We use scooters, balls, t-ball stands, field hockey sticks and a variety of relay races to facilitate these goals. Our Junior Kindergarten class also participates in movement classes that are designed to augment the physical education program. The children learn rhythm, dance, stretching and aerobics.
MUSIC AND RHYTHMS:
Music is the universal language in our classrooms! Our classrooms are equipped with musical instruments and opportunities for children to explore rhythm and song. The Early Childhood music selection includes CDs of popular children’s songs, classical music, modern pop, show tunes, instrumental, Hebrew and holiday music. The children in the Nursery and Junior Kindergarten often participate in a parade using rhythm instruments as we march through the hallways, community hall, gym and throughout our school! Your children will learn several songs during the course of the year and participate on stage.
ARTS AND CRAFTS:
The children will have an opportunity to explore their creativity using a variety of art media. Paints (including tempera, watercolors and biocolors), markers, crayons, colored pencils, tape, glue, scissors, glitter and felt are a few of the myriad of materials the children will experiment with in the classroom. It is important to remember that it is the process not the finished product that matters! We want your children to feel proud of their creations!
HEBREW LANGUAGE:
Our goal is to comfortably expose children to modern, oral Hebrew language. They will hear and learn Hebrew words relating to the seasons, Jewish holidays and units discussed in their classroom. Hebrew songs and games are incorporated into lessons. Students will also have hands-on experiences learning about Jewish values, and the customs associated with Shabbat and all the Jewish holidays.
SHABBAT HOST/HOSTESS:
Preparing and celebrating Shabbat is a special time within the Early Childhood department. The children welcome Shabbat by singing the blessings over the candles, reciting the Kiddush-blessing over the wine (grape juice) and singing the motzee-prayer for eating bread over the Challah. Every child will have an opportunity to be a Shabbat host/hostess and bring a Kosher treat for the entire class.
