Our comprehensive and developmentally appropriate program is in accordance with the 'Colorado shines' org for early childhood.
The curriculum at our Preschool is based on age-appropriate developmentally accepted practice. The classroom set up is comprised of learning centers which include blocks, art, dramatic play, books, manipulatives and scientific discovery. These centers allow the children to have choices and to actively explore. They learn by interacting with their peers, teachers and the varying things in their environment. Each center has a specific aim and with the teacher's guidance, helps the children's emotional, cognitive and physical growth.
The daily schedule is planned to include active and quiet times, gross and fine motor activities and child-initiated as well as staff-initiated activities. Outdoor (weather permitting) or indoor play is scheduled each day.
Assessment is also as important part of the curriculum. A portfolio for each child contains developmental checklists, work samples and anecdotal records. We endeavor to make sure that children reach their individual potential.
We integrate an emergent curriculum approach into a thematic approach to create a synthesis of programs including the best guided and individualized educational opportunities.
Logic and reasoning:
We encourage the children to develop self-motivation, active investigational skills through questioning, exploring and observing, and the thinking and problem solving abilities needed to thrive in a world of challenge and competition. Children are surrounded with books, literacy experiences and exposure to the alphabet to prepare them for pre-reading and the reading that follows.
Social and emotional development:
We encourage each child to work and play with others, to develop language communication skills, to respect the rights and privacy of their peers and most of all to develop feelings of kindness, courtesy, helpfulness and acceptance.
Physical Development and health:
Children are provided constant opportunities to develop their gross and fine motor skills, to develop finger strength and dexterity, and arm-eye and body coordination.
Other fundamentals in our Curriculum include language development, literacy knowledge and skills, mathematics /science knowledge and skills, and creative arts expression.
INTEGRATING TRADITION AND JEWISH PRIDE
Lesson plans at Gan Chaya are built around the events influencing the children at the time that they are being taught. Weather changes, special animal habits, national celebrations and holiday seasons all determine what will be brought into the classroom at any particular time of year. All these are laced into the general curriculum to allow the children to learn from what is going on around them.
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.
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 Preschool children. 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 Nursery and Pre-K 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 to facilitate these goals. Our program 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 Pre-K often participate in a parade using rhythm instruments as we march through the hallways, community hall, and throughout our school! Your child 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 at Preschool at GCE. 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 Abba/Ima and bring a Kosher treat for the entire class