We nurture all of the skills required to guide children as they develop academic fluency. Young children develop at different
paces and our goal is to move each student as far as she or he can go in every area of the curriculum.

Our approach is inspired by Reggio Emilia** and our curriculum is designed so children construct their own knowledge
through a carefully planned curriculum that builds on existing knowledge and skills. The curriculum, often emergent in
nature, is based on the interests of the children. This emergent curriculum philosophy of teaching and learning prioritizes
being responsive to children’s interests to create meaningful learning experiences. Teachers draw out math lessons in
addition, subtraction, number sense, and estimation, for example, during children’s chosen activities. When learning is the
product of the child’s guided construction, rather than simply the teacher’s transmission and the child’s absorption, learning
becomes individualized.

The use of the emergent curriculum approach requires that teachers honor the interests of the children and envisions each
child as someone actively seeking knowledge. Our kindergarten teachers ensure that creativity and innovation are always
present and nurtured. The children use critical thinking, ingenuity, collaboration and problem-solving to hone the expression
of their artistic, architectural, and imaginative ideas. Following the lead of the individual interests of children, our teachers
guide the kindergartners in expanding their work into all areas of academic growth. A block-building project, for example,
often becomes the basis for meaningful mathematical exploration, creative writing, and storytelling as students write about
every project they complete in class.

The kindergartners explore the scientific world. We conduct experiments involving individual observations, recordkeeping,
and group discussion. Students have ongoing exposure to animals, learning about them as we provide care for our class
pets and school chickens. Our outdoor space provides endless opportunities for scientific exploration of the world of plants,
bugs, and nature on a daily basis. Investigation and discovery are the cornerstones of our child-centered learning pursuits.
Many of our field trips are chosen to instill an appreciation of nature and to develop an increasing sense of ecological
responsibility.

**The Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education views young children as individuals who are curious about their world and
have the powerful potential to learn from all that surrounds them. Reggio teachers employ strategies such as exposing children to a
wide variety of educational opportunities that encourage self-expression, communication, logical thinking, and problem-solving.
For more information see https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/reggio-emilia-approach/.

Kindergarten is an important time for students to develop the social flexibility required for successful collaboration with
others. Students learn to express their ideas and feelings, while also listening to the ideas, suggestions, and feelings of
others. During class meetings every child practices the skills of expressing needs, concerns and constructive feedback in a
respectful, judgment-free environment. Our students practice sharing and taking turns, as well as developing their ability to
work and make decisions independently.

Jewish values constitute the cornerstone of our school culture and nurturing the values of kindness, integrity, service,
personal responsibility and social justice are an integral part of our everyday curriculum. Students learn foundational stories
from the Torah and experience Shabbat and Jewish holidays through regular cooking projects, song, and the arts. The
children begin to develop a meaningful and useful Hebrew vocabulary. Judaism is celebrated in full living color in an
inclusive environment.

Our students learn about many cultures as they develop an awareness of the world beyond our classroom. We believe that
celebrating diversity instills a sense of self-respect, global awareness and an appreciation of all people and perspectives.

Our kindergarten teaches organization and routines even as it celebrates wonder and seeks to find joy in each day. It is a
special place to explore, invent, experiment and grow. The flexible learning environment of our kindergarten allows
teachers to respond to the interests of the children so they can construct their own knowledge. There is no better
foundation for a life of learning!

The goal for a successful transition from preschool into kindergarten is making your child and family as comfortable and confident as possible. We have some suggestions to help make this experience a positive one.

You have been preparing your child for kindergarten for a very long time. Taking a relaxed approach yourself, while allowing your child to express any fears or concerns is essential. Do not underplay these anxieties – directly communicate that you are confident that kindergarten will be exciting and fun, and they will make new friends with many new opportunities to learn and play.

Be positive and minimize any possible anxieties that your child may be feeling about this transition.

• Our children always know precisely how we are feeling, often taking their cues from our spoken and unspoken behavior.

Be open to listening and empathizing with fears or concerns that your child might be feeling.

• Let your child talk or use puppets, drawing, or storytelling, to express his/her feelings about the move into kindergarten.
• Remind your child of other times when there was fear about a new experience and how comfortable he/she soon became
• with those new opportunities/challenges.
• Read storybooks to your child about entering kindergarten.
• Tell your child about a time when you felt nervous about something new and how it turned out well for you.

Make attempts to familiarize your child with his/her new school environment.

• Visit the school to find similarities between your child's preschool and the kindergarten learning environment.
• Emphasize similarities with your child. ("They have the same blocks that you have in your preschool!")
• If possible, take your child to visit the kindergarten and the school.
• During the summer, take your child to play on the playground at the new school
• Attend orientation activities that are offered before the first day of school.

Provide opportunities for your child to interact with future classmates during the summer.

• Arrange for summer playdates by procuring a list of incoming kindergarten students.
• If there is a summer camp at the new school, consider enrolling your child for a week or two.

Nurture your child's emerging self-reliance.

• Establish independent toileting habits.
• Encourage independence in dressing.
• Help your child work toward completing the tasks and projects he/she starts at home.

Provide opportunities for positive interactions with peers.

• Encourage positive experiences with sharing and taking turns, listening to others, making decisions through compromise, and being able to ask for help when it is needed.
• Assist with conflict resolution and working toward solving their problems.

Find ways to build your child's self-esteem and confidence authentically.

• This will translate into the child feeling more secure in tackling the new challenges

By midsummer, start preparing your child for the school year by establishing a daily routine.

• Ensure a consistent, daily time for reading with your child.
• Establish an appropriate bedtime and stick to it.
• Provide the opportunity for increasingly independent morning readiness.

Allow your child to actively participate in choosing school-related items (clothes, lunch box, backpack)

• Self-chosen things brought to school can become positive "transitional objects" for the child.
• Involve your child in a discussion about what he/she would like to bring for lunch and snack.

Ensure your child's comfort and freedom of movement by providing appropriate play clothes and athletic shoes for school.

• Play clothes will encourage children to participate in daily activities without worry of "getting dirty."

Keep your child's after-school schedule as open as possible for the first few months of school.

• It is important to note that most aftercare programs will also provide "downtime" for kindergartners after school.

If it turns out that your child is having separation anxiety when kindergarten begins, ask for assistance from the teacher.

• When it is time for you to leave the classroom, give your child a big hug. Reassure your child that you will be there to pick them up after school and will be excited to hear all about their day. Hand the child off to the teacher and leave the room quickly! Trust that the tears will stop as soon as you leave the room. (Kindergarten teachers are used to this!)
• Put a short love note in your child's lunch box each day. They are very special for the children to receive.