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Early Childhood Learning Center Registration
for 2009 - 2010 School Year
Beginning January 5th, 2009
Call Michelle Finkel for more information
631-499-0915 ext. 16
or e-mail mfinkel@tbdcommack.org
Click
here to learn about the
Early Childhood Learning Center
Curriculum and School Philosophy
Calendar of Events
Class Schedule 2009-2010
Curricular
Guide
Temple Beth David
Early Childhood
Learning Center
Welcome to the Early Childhood Learning Center of Temple Beth David, Commack, NY. In a safe, nurturing learning environment your children have the opportunity to grow and learn and explore the world around them through hands-on activities and social interaction with their peers and our professional staff. We provide an introduction to Jewish living through weekly Shabbat observances, "Tot" Shabbats and holiday celebrations and experiences.
Your children will be encouraged to participate in all the interactive centers we have available in the classroom. We promote individual growth while encouraging and guiding children toward group experiences.
Our program provides opportunities for the developmental growth of each child in the following areas: social, emotional, physical, and cognitive and language development. We integrate the learning of appropriate skills, concepts and knowledge in literacy, math, science, social studies, the arts, and technology.
Each class has an opportunity for daily outdoor play (weather permitting) or in our spacious indoor gym.
After school enrichment programs are available for our three and four year olds which offer further exploration of curriculum areas.
We mark time Jewishly by observing life's significant moments as well as the Jewish calendar. Every Thursday or Friday we welcome the Shabbat with the children. The "Shabbat Child" of the week invites his/her parents to school for part of the day. They participate in candle lighting and have the opportunity to share a special story with the class. We strive to be partners with God through the performance of Jewish rituals. By incorporating age appropriate crafts and songs, we encourage the children and their families to bring these rituals and traditions into their homes, thereby transmitting the language of our faith and forging a partnership between the school and the home.
Once a month we celebrate Shabbat with the Rabbi in the sanctuary, with songs and stories. Several times throughout the year we hold a "Tot" Shabbat on Friday evenings and all families with young children are invited. Our combined focus of socialization and academics will support our overall philosophy of "allowing children to be children". Your children will have plenty of hands on learning experiences; be exposed to many new activities, sing new songs, play new games, interact socially with other children and have lots of fun.
Mommy & Me Programs - For parent and child 16 months and older. This one and a half hour session has parent and child working and playing together in a typical classroom setting. In addition, the children will spend a half hour in a gym while the parents participate in a group discussion with a facilitator. The parents are in the same room as the children, but we work on encouraging separation. Class maximum size is 10 children.
Two Year Old Programs begin with a concentration on developing the process of separation. While supporting the child through this difficult process we offer individual guidance to help foster a growing sense of independence and trust. Classes are kept to a maximum of 12 children to allow the teachers to help each child negotiate their day. Teachers work one on one with the children gradually guiding each child toward group activities.
Three Year Old Programs continue to foster independence in a safe and secure environment. Children are given opportunities to learn and develop through exploration and play. The daily predictable routines help guide the child through their day. Teachers watch closely and take advantage of opportunities to extend the play and challenge the child's thinking and reasoning processes. Teachers set clear limits about acceptable social behavior. Teachers act as guides, helping each child develop a sense of self-discipline through positive, predictable and constructive ways.
Four Year Old Programs concentrate on an integrated curriculum in which our teachers facilitate activities which develop the four year olds' pre-reading, math and writing readiness skills, while continuing developmentally appropriate activities in science, dramatic play, music, art and technology. Teachers provide meaningful classroom activities that challenge children to move forward. While accepting this challenge, children are able to successfully complete many of the tasks encountered so that they gain self-confidence, feel proud of their accomplishments and learn to love learning.
Daily Activities We invite new learning through:
- Circle Time: Meet and plan day weather/calendar
- Free play & Exploration - non regimented peer interaction
- Individual/Group Projects
- Gym/Outdoor Play
- Snack/Lunch
- Story Time: individual, small group, class
- Show & Tell, Class News, Magic Circle
- Music/Dance Spontaneous learning experiences are incorporated into the daily schedule as a means to further children's growth and development. Concepts are presented to children via hands-on material.
Weekly Specials
All classes participate in the following weekly programs:
Let's
Begin With The Letter People: The director of the Early Childhood Center,
Michelle J. Finkel, is directly responsible for this program. Being the instructor
enables Mrs. Finkel to develop a personal relationship with every child enrolled.
The Letter People focuses on promoting phonological awareness and
building letter identification. These special friends get children talking, moving,
interacting, experimenting, and ultimately ready to read and write. Each Letter
Person has an engaging personality, a special identifying characteristic, and
a memorable personal song. Each Letter Person will help each child learn something
new. The engaging, motivating nature of the Letter People draws the child into
the learning process and makes it fun.
Library - as
part of own Life Long Learning commitment, retired educators from our temple community
have volunteered to be weekly readers in this program. Children have an opportunity
to hear a story, use the flannel board for an extended activity and borrow a library
book to take home and share with their families.
Music - Music is an integral part of our program further enhanced by our music teacher, Mrs. Ellen Kurzrok. Mrs. Kurzrok's classes are held mid week, where the children have an opportunity to use musical and rhythm instruments and sing and dance to the beat. The musical curriculum consists of songs written in Hebrew and English. As each Jewish holiday approaches children learn songs relating to that specific holiday.
Movement - Our small group movement classes lead by Mrs. Donna Cohen are an integral part of our program. The class promotes physical fitness and development of the whole child, as it contributes to the enhancement of a positive self-image, self-confidence, creativity, and self-expression. Part of the curriculum focuses on developing gross motor skills, team building, balance, coordination and basic knowledge of good sportsmanship.
Monthly Themes - Throughout the course of the school year some of the following themes are integrated into the curriculum. Teachers revise their plans for an activity if they recognize it is not in keeping with children's current needs.
We introduce, review and explore:
- Social Science
Holidays-Jewish/Secular
Creation o All About Me
Jewish Values o Family
Jewish Life Cycle Events
Getting Along With Others/Tzedakah
Community/Tikkun Olam
Israel - Math
Numeral Recognition
Counting
1 : 1 Correspondence
Shapes o Patterns
Measurement
Matching/Sorting
Graphing
Calendar Science
Animals
Sky & Space
Planets
Our Earth
My Wonderful Body
Dinosaur Science
My Senses
Living Things Are Everywhere
The Life of A Butterfly
Seasons
Machines
Transportation
Nature All Around Us
Tours are always available and strongly suggested!
Call the Early Childhood Learning Center office at 631-499-0915 extension 16 for more information or e-mail Michelle Finkel at mfinkel@tbdcommack.org.
Early
Childhood Learning Center
Parent Association Newsletter
The TBD Early Childhood Learning Center has recently formed a Parent Association to better serve and support the needs of our children and our center. The Parent Association helps plan activities, fundraisers, and works to improve the center’s many programs. We all want the ECLC to be a great place for our children and if we work together and become involved it will be easier to achieve this goal. All parents are welcome to join the PA meetings or any other committee meetings. If you are unable to attend meetings but would still like to help and be involved, volunteers are always welcome and appreciated. New committees and events are still being planned.
Parent Association Bulletin Board. A new bulletin board has been created and is located in the hallway outside Room 2. This Bulletin Board posts upcoming Early Childhood Learning Center events as well as other pertinent temple activities geared toward families. Please check board frequently for updated information and events.
Hanukkah/ Pajama Party Hosted by the Early Childhood Learning Center Parents Association Monday, December 22nd 7:00 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. Wear your favorite pajamas and bring your favorite stuffed animal to hear a story and sing some songs. Donuts, milk and juice will be served A sign up form will be distributed.
Calendar
of Events
Thursday, September 4th -
Parent Orientation 7:00 p.m.
Monday, September 8th - Classes Begin
Friday,
October 3rd - Grandparents' Shabbat 7:30 p.m.
Monday, November 24th - Thanksgiving Feast
Wednesday,
December 3rd - Photo Day
Monday, December 22nd - Hanukah Pajama Party 7:00
p.m.
Monday, January 5th - Registration Begins for 2009-2010 School
Year
Friday, February 6th - Shabbat Schmooze
March 8th - Purim Shipel
& Carnival 11:00 a.m.
March 9th - Purim Service 7:00 p.m.
Sunday,
April 26th - Grandparents' Day 11:30 a.m.
Friday, May 15th - Teacher Recognition
Shabbat 7:30 p.m.
June 12th Last Day of Classes
Class
Schedule for 2009-2010
2's - Monday
thru Friday 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
2's - Monday, Wednesday & Friday 9:30
a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
2's - Tuesday & Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
2's - Optional Lunch Bunch Program - Monday thru Friday 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
3's - Monday, Wednesday & Friday 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
3's - Monday
thru Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
3's - Monday thru Friday 9:45 - 1:30 p.m.
3's - Optional Enrichment Programs - Monday thru Thursday 1:30 p.m. - 2:30
p.m.
4's - Monday thru Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
4's - Monday thru Friday 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
4's - Optional Enrichment
Programs - Monday thru Friday 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
4's - Optional Enrichment
Programs - Monday thru Thursday 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Call
Temple for Registration Forms - 631-499-0915 ex. 16 or e-mail Michelle Finkel
mfinkel@tbdcommack.org