The Whole Child Approach
OUR CURRICULUM
Our curriculum and philosophy centers on respecting all children by involving them in caregiving, promoting choice, validating feelings, fostering communication, and holistic growth. Through our program, each child gains self-confidence, self-respect, and respect for others and the environment.
EMERGENT
An emergent curriculum is not predetermined or static; its flexibility offers children repeated opportunities to make choices. The needs and skill levels of individuals within the group taken into account.
INTEGRATED
All daily activities purposefully provide a wide variety of subjects and skills that facilitate individual development.
DEVELOPMENTAL
The curriculum is consciously age/stage appropriate. It is designed with the understanding of children's physical, emotional, social and cognitive progress.
Children learn by doing and experiencing. By engaging with the subject matter, children are able to create something or solve a problem.
PLAY
Children learn by making choices in a rich environment and by enacting life experiences through play, art, music.
OPEN
Children choose freely from many available tasks; tasks are open-ended. Open-ended play helps develop creativity, decision making, and resourcefulness.
A Day in the Life at Bilowit
Throughout the day, children are engaged in the following activities:
MORNING GREETING & SHARING
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. The children are encouraged to share about their day or bring a share time item. Through sharing the children acquire expanded language skills and the class, as a whole, gains valuable listening skills as well.
PLAY
Play is a vehicle of growth. During play explorations, children learn to interact with each other and play cooperatively. Playtime affords a child the opportunity to share and problem solve. Play is hard work for young children! A variety of materials 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.
ARTS
The children will have an opportunity to explore their creativity using a variety of art media. Paints, markers, crayons, colored pencils, tape, glue, scissors, 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!
PHYSICAL FITNESS
We spend time each day in our outdoor classroom environment. The children have the opportunity to develop their gross motor skills, eye/hand coordination and eye/foot coordination both indoors and outdoors. The children also participate in a sports class with a sports coach each week.
MUSIC & 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. At least once a month we are joined by a music teacher who provides us the opportunity to explore musical instruments.
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.
GARDENING
Gardening is a great physical activity that helps children develop motor skills and gives them a sense of responsibility. Connecting with nature helps relieve stress and promotes self-confidence. Gardening also encourages healthy eating. After tending to the garden for a few months, children enjoy eating what they grew.
COOKING
Stirring, measuring, rolling, squeezing and spreading are just a few of the kitchen tasks that allow young children to develop their fine motor and hand-eye coordination skills. There's also many opportunities to develop math, science and creativity skills while having fun and building confidence in the kitchen.
