Let's Play Word Association - you start
First word is Preschool
My Answer...LOVE! - Come and visit Gan Chamesh!
How do you get a child to separate from his family, to love preschool, and to cherish learning about his/her three thousand year old heritage and abide by a set of demanding and seemingly restrictive rules?
Gan Chamesh has the answers. Make the school into a home. Out with rote learning - In with creativity and imagination. Make the teacher into an ally. Out with power and intimidation - In with care and respect. Let the child feel important, allow them to learn naturally.
"Sounds good, but how does it happen?" You ask. Well, it starts with the environment. Let’s have an exciting view for your child, a room that empowers and encourages competence. It’s a question of structuring the environment to foster the kinds of interactions that will optimize learning for each individual child. Organize the space into attractive learning centers, with furniture that literally shapes your experience; whether you sit or kneel, work alone or together, your child directs himself/herself independently and feels invited to explore.
Next ingredient is brainy materials that enable you to bring the world to the classroom. Let’s research the mostage-appropriate educational materials, concept games, skill-building tools, and sensory-stimulating toys as well as nature and real-life objects and exhibits. Let’s weave them into a child-centered curriculum, with activities centered around a common theme – all to bring out the Jewish thinker, the artist, the musician, the problem-solver, the scientist, the mathematician, in your child.
Now we have a real preschool. Now we have Gan Chamesh.
Next ingredient is the faculty. Let's find people who love children, are interested in the children's lives and who appreciate every child's individual potential and multiple intelligence. Let's find educators who understand the learning process and revel in the successes of their students. Let's find role models whose love for Judaism is contagious and whose dedication to their students is boundless. Now you have the faculty at Gan Chamesh.
The last ingredient is the children. Welcome them with open arms. Make sure they are comfortable and secure. Let them know that it's okay to make a mistake, as long as you try to correct it. Give them tools to develop healthy social attitudes, a positive sense of self, and joyfulness in Judaism. Let’s hear them say: I am! I Can! Now you have the Nachas sounds of Gan Chamesh.
None of these ingredients would mix well without You – the parents. You are your child’s first teacher and you are our strongest partners. We welcome you to our center anytime; we value your input and cherish every moment you volunteer. We believe that such a partnership will ensure continuity between home and school.
With all these ingredients in place, we are proud to welcome you to Gan Chamesh, the garden we tend with love and care. In this handbook, you will find a full overview of our program. Please review it carefully.
Susy Adler Sarah Avtzon
Director Educational Director