The Solel Preschool Philosophy
The Solel Preschool provides a structured learning environment based on the goals of Reform Judaism, child development and early childhood education.
We encourage children to explore the world while developing small and large muscle coordination, eye-hand coordination, language skills, a strong sense of self-esteem, and foster a positive Jewish identity.
We want children to experience a wide variety of activities including art, music, movement, water play, sensory play, manipulative play, stories, and quiet time. These activities will foster development of pre-math skills, pre-reading skills, and social skills, all of which will help to prepare children for their elementary school years. The curriculum encourages children to be actively involved in the learning process, to experience a variety of developmentally appropriate activities and materials, and to pursue their interests in the context of life in the Jewish community and the world. We combine teacher directed activities with ones in which teachers facilitate interactive play and child directed activities.
Our Jewish heritage is an essential part of our program since is provides a source of identity, a framework for interpreting the world, the basis for a feeling of belonging and our sense of values. We foster developmentally appropriate independence in children and use positive reinforcement techniques of guidance including redirection, anticipation, and elimination of potential problems, and encouragement. The Solel Preschool Staff strives to achieve these goals:
- Foster a positive self-concept.
- Foster a positive Jewish identity.
- Develop social skills.
- Encourage appropriate responses to discipline.
- Encourage children to think, reason, question, and experiment.
- Encourage language development.
- Enhance physical development and motor skills.
- Encourage creative expression.
- Encourage good health practices.
These goals allow our teachers to plan age-appropriate activities and set guidelines for meeting the learning and emotional needs of all children.
