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When children enter our Preschool program, we support them with their individual social and emotional needs to ensure that they are always prepared for what comes next. We offer a play-based program that includes opportunities for creative self-expression, learning through real-life opportunities, and exposure to positive relationships built upon mutual respect for all people. Our staff works hard to build trusting relationships and foster an environment that promotes kindness, respect for all people, and a love of learning.
Scroll down to learn more about our Preschool Program!
Children enrolled in the Sari Isdaner Early Childhood Center enjoy the unique facilities of the Katz JCC, including swim, STEM, art, music, Zumbini, Yoga, physical education, and our indoor play structure called The Imaginarium. We teach our students about the Jewish holidays, and we celebrate Shabbat
all together every Friday.
By the time children graduate from the 2-year-old class, we expect to see them hit some milestones. Children’s self-help skills are emerging, and their ability to communicate in an effective way should be noticeable. Verbal communication skills are typical for this age group and reciting the ABC’s and counting from 1-10 are common. As far as fine motor development, we expect children to be able to put together a 6-piece puzzle, build a tower of 5 or more parts, and use a crayon to color (holding the crayon properly is not mastered at this age). For gross motor skills, children should be able to walk and run, hop on two feet, climb a playground structure, and roll a ball.
By the time children graduate from the 3-year-old class, we expect to see them hit some major milestones, specifically social/emotional. Putting on and taking off a jacket, eating lunch on their own, and following simple 3 step directions are common accomplishments of this age group. Children at
this age are typically able to separate from caregivers with ease and verbally communicate any needs to teachers and peers in a healthy manner. Children can engage in activities with others, form friendships, and work together. As far as academic development, children can count from 1-20, recite
the alphabet, and participate during circle time. Fine motor skills are continuing to emerge and manipulating crayons/paintbrushes/markers is becoming easier.
By the time children leave the Pre-K program, they should be prepared to tackle Kindergarten and all the changes that it entails. Children’s attention span is far greater, allowing them to engage in circle time for up to 20 minutes. Children are creating strong relationships with other children and learning about empathy. They are learning sight words, writing and reciting the letters of the alphabet (capital and lowercase), counting from 1 to 100, and writing number 1-20. Children can appropriately cut with scissors, manipulate a marker or pencil properly, and put together a puzzle containing as many as 48 pieces. The teachers review the calendar daily so the children should easily know the days of the week and the months of the year. Gross motor development is almost mastered, and children of this age can easily ride a tricycle, climb the playground structure, balance on one foot, and throw and catch a ball. One of the most important goals in this class is to make sure that children are prepared for a more academically focused environment, with more structure than in previous years.
