Preschool Curriculum & Special Programs

Curriculum

Starting in Infant 1, Temple Emanu El Preschool utilizes the Teaching Strategies Gold Creative Curriculum which is research based and aligns with the State of Ohio learning dimensions and objectives.  This curriculum is an authentic, ongoing observation-based assessment system that assists teachers and the administration focus on what matters most for the development of each student.

Integrated with the Creative Curriculum is Fingerprints, a Judaic-based curriculum, which provides resources and tools to successfully collaborate Jewish values with classroom academics.  Fingerprints was developed by the Jewish Education of Cleveland under the guidance of a nationally recognized educator and administrator.

Three times annually, lead teachers assess individual students.  Information gleaned is shared during twice a year Parent-Teacher Conferences and once a year Parent-Teacher Check in Calls.

We Nurture Your Infant

Our Infant program provides a warm, nurturing and safe space for babies 6-weeks to 15-months-old. Our teachers begin by building a trusting bond between themselves and your infant while also supporting parents by developing individualized schedules for sleeping, eating and playing.

Our caregivers are trained to help your child work towards developmental milestones including sitting up, crawling, standing, walking and feeding themselves. Students begin to develop social skills not only with teachers but with other children. Infants are encouraged to explore their environment, both inside and outside, by using their senses. As students reach 14-months-old, they are introduced to the activities of our Toddler program to help create a smooth transition to a new classroom.

We Encourage Your Toddler

Our Toddler program provides a secure, nurturing environment where your child can explore, learn, develop and flourish. Classes are organized according to the personal growth and development of each student.

To help develop outstanding language skills, our daily activities involve sounds, words, questions, answers, and discussions to enhance the overall learning process.  Students are involved in weekly Hebrew, gym and music classes taught by professionals within the Cleveland community.

A student with strong decision-making skills is a happy child. We support your child’s efforts to gain mastery over his/her environment by planning activities to encourage your child’s decision-making and independent strengths.

Each student develops at his/her own pace.  In conjunction with parents, we work on potty training when students show signs of readiness. Our emphasis is always on the process, not the results.

We Guide Your Preschooler

Students in our Preschool program participate in classrooms dedicated to encouraging learning in a loving, patient and respectful environment. We work with your child to develop positive self-image, promote intellectual growth and build independence. Our program stresses growth in emotional and social awareness as well as cognitive development. We aim to stimulate curiosity, develop a love of learning, and foster creativity.

Your Preschooler will be introduced to art, math, science, social studies, reading and writing, dramatic play, and Judaic learning activities. Each week, students participate in Hebrew learning with an award-winning Hebrew Specialist, music with our Cantor and gym class with a professional physical education teacher. Special enrichment classes will be made available to our 4 and 5-year-olds including Math Monkey, Future Scientists, Gardening, Taekwondo, and Yoga post pandemic.

Our goal is to promote your child’s healthy development and prepare them for kindergarten’s new challenges.

Camp

During the summer months, students in the Toddler and Preschool programs are engaged in a camp-like experience.  Throughout each day, classes are combined, and students are involved in activities based around a weekly theme all while still incorporating academics as well as fun water play.

Special Programs

Each Friday, our students participate in Preschool Shabbat services with our Rabbi.  Throughout the year, we hold holiday programs for our students including Shabbat in the Sukkah, a Passover experience as well as all-school parties to celebrate Chanukah, Yom Ha’atzmaut, and Tu B’Shevat.

For more information on Temple Emanu El’s Preschool contact Eleanor Gulling, Early Childhood Education Director, EGulling@teecleve.org or 216.454.1308.