Gan Shalom's Philosophy

	All children want to learn and will learn if provided with an appropriate environment and support.
	Children’s learning occurs within both the home and school, and is enriched when these contexts are mutually supportive.
	Children’s learning is enhanced when all five senses are utilized and information about diverse cultures is introduced in a meaningful way.

To That End We Promise To…

	Challenge children to ask questions and become lifelong learners through play and exposure to materials and equipment;
	Develop the home-school relationship so that faculty and parents/guardians are co-teachers and co-learners;
	Help children become responsible people who are self-controlled and considerate of others; and
	Respond to individual differences among children in order to address particular needs.

MISSION STATEMENT

       Gan Shalom is an Early Childhood Program committed to a safe, supportive environment for learning and development.  The program provides a high quality educational structure that emphasizes Jewish values and celebrations.  Within this framework, instruction is child centered, developmentally appropriate, and balanced with a variety of creative and recreational activities. 

EDUCATIONAL FRAMEWORK

       Gan Shalom’s curriculum is comprised of six major categories that serve as instructional guidelines.  Children are provided with opportunities to explore these areas and build specific skills for future learning.  Classroom strategies are developmentally appropriate and may include individual discovery as well as cooperative partnerships involving two or more children.  Children are continuously encourage, but never pushed.  Therefore, specific learning tasks are inspired by student curiosity and interest.

Listed below are the six educational parameters:

1. Real Life Activities:  Children will build the foundation for real life skills through classroom jobs and explorations.

2. Hands-on Learning:  Children will explore their tactile abilities using manipulatives such as puzzles and blocks.

3. Jewish Values:  Children will form an understanding of values such as doing good deeds and showing respect.

4. Mathematical Readiness:  Children will develop a quantitative sense through activities such as counting, sorting, and creating patterns.

5. Language Skills:  Children will build pre-reading and pre-writing skills as they engage in language based games and activities.

6. Cultural Awareness:  Children will be exposed to a variety of historical and cultural ideas through creative, classroom explorations.  Jewish Holidays and celebrations will be a focus.

Please note that although specific learning activities certainly differ depending on the age and readiness of each unique child, the six educational parameters remain the same for toddlers and preschoolers alike.  As an example, the older children might engage in a “real life activity” involving measuring and pouring with containers of various sizes while the younger group might use the same type of “real life” containers for stacking and filling.  Teachers will gear the educational program and specific learning activities to meet the needs of each individual child and enhance his/her natural progress.