Curriculum Goals

Throughout the course of the school year, the overall curricular goals include introducing children to pre-literacy skills, including letter recognition, understanding of sounds and syllabication in words, pre-math skills, including number awareness and an intrinsic understanding of the meaning of numbers, fine and gross motor skills, social skills and self-regulation, care for the classroom and school community, and love of Jewish history, religion, and culture. 

The Gan's curriculum is inspired by the Montessori philosophy and focuses on creating an immersive, loving Jewish classroom experience for children ages 2-5. Children learn at different rates. Therefore, in our classroom the children can work independently at their own pace. Each child has "sensitive periods" of learning when there is an intense interest in learning a skill. Based on these sensitive periods, the children will be able to choose and work with Montessori materials which will aid them in their mental development and self-construction.

The Gan is a Montessori-inspired Jewish preschool program for children ages 2-5. Montessori recognizes in the child a natural curiosity and desire to learn. Independence, self-confidence, self-discipline, and a love of learning are characteristics that are developed in the Montessori classroom. Movement is of primary importance. The child can learn by doing, moving about freely and working with the many educational materials available to him. Our teachers are sensitive to the wide range of abilities and developmental levels within this age group. They offer creative activities that fit into the broad developmental continuum represented by the students.