These early years are a unique time in children’s lives.  Young children are discovering a world that is filled with wonder and excitement.  The children in this age group are growing from being dependent toddlers to becoming more independent preschoolers.  Our program will prepare your child with life skills by offering a variety of learning centers and experiences.  The classroom environment will challenge the total child: physically, emotionally, socially and cognitively. 

Chai  Preschool recognizes that every child has unique learning styles and play interests.  With this in mind, we provide a differentiated curriculum that is adapted for each child.  We provide the children with a wide range of materials and media, and welcome a diversity of experiences, so that children encounter many avenues for thinking, revising, constructing, negotiating, developing and symbolically expressing their thoughts and feelings.  These languages can include drawing, paint, clay, wire, natural and recycled materials, light and shadow, dramatic play, music and dance. They can also include expression with words through metaphors, stories or poems of the children’s interpretations and reflections about their experiences or through special design, such as maps and three dimensional constructions.  Teachers encourage children to represent their ideas on a particular topic in multiple languages, and find that the process of moving between languages supports children in their understanding and learning. 

The curriculum is an integrated curriculum, a seamless weave, combining thematic units (projects) with language, art, drama, music, math, science and Jewish holidays.

Children will be able to test their own skills by engaging in both child initiated and teacher directed activities.  Independence skills and self-esteem are key factors in success at this stage.  The activities presented lay the foundation for future learning.
 

Science, Dramatic Play and Creative Arts

Children have the opportunity to work individually and in a group to promote socialization. 

  • Recognizing the needs of others
  • Role playing
  • Learning to deal with conflict
  • Singing, dancing and mimicking
  • Participation in block building, creative arts and dramatic play with other children
  • Finding the joy in science projects with an end result

Math and Manipulatives

Most concepts are learned as children go about their day engaged in developmentally appropriate play.  As children begin a project they are encouraged to provide closure as well, this instills the pre-math concept of completion.  During clean up, children are able to sort and classify as they put away materials in their assigned areas.  During water play and sand play, children are exposed to weights and measurements.  As children build in the block area they are exposed to spatial relationships and gravity. 

  • Problem solving
  • Matching and classifying
  • Completion of projects
  • Group objects in categories
  • Basic introduction to size and weights

Language Arts and Reading

Your child will be exposed to a variety of language experiences.  A print rich environment will enhance their curiosity and excitement of language. 

  • Use of fine motor skills
  • Use of symbols in art and drawing
  • Understanding their own experiences
  • Dramatic play with a variety of props
  • Circle time and storytelling
  • Reading with adults

Physical Development

Your child will have wonderful opportunities to develop physically.  Coach Mike offers enrichment opportunities along with the use of indoor and outdoor equipment.

  • Running, climbing and jumping
  • Sand play, digging and constructing
  • Music and movement

Milestones during the 2 –3 year old year 

  • Lengthen attention span
  • Enjoy reading and storytelling
  • Memorization of songs
  • Differentiate objects (apples and oranges)
  • Effectively begin to communicate with adults
  • Show persistence in solving problems
  • Predict routines and know what comes next in sequence
  • Can complete puzzles
  • Shows interest in counting
  • Increase in cooperative play 

We will encourage

  • Self Expression
  • Listening skills
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Development of Self Esteem
  • Empathy
  • Accepting tasks and responsibility
  • Initiative and independence
  • Following directions