The Strelitz Early Years Program follows the guidelines of developmentally appropriate practice promoted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). At the Strelitz International Academy, our Early Years division is participating, along with our Primary Years division, as an IB World School. We promote a curriculum that addresses the needs of the total child based on the 10 attributes of the IB® Learner Profile and which is implemented through various global, transdisciplinary themes. Teachers offer a variety of group and individual learning activities that include:
Learning Modalities
- Visual
- Auditory
- Kinesthetic (learning through movement)
- Interpersonal
- Intrapersonal
Development Areas
- Social
- Emotional
- Cognitive
- Spiritual
- Physical
Our teachers guide students in a loving and nurturing environment, encouraging:
- Language development
- Creativity
- Logical thinking
- Problem-solving abilities
- Exploration of the world
Language arts skills include:
- Letter recognition (three-year-olds)
- Interactive reading experiences to create book awareness
- Fine motor development
For two and three-year-old students: After observing and listening to students, classroom teachers implement units of inquiry that reflect student interest. Our four-year-old students focus on developing phonemic awareness and essential literacy, math and handwriting skills for success in kindergarten.
Get more detailed information about programs by age.
As a school rooted in Jewish tradition, the moral and ethical values we encourage come from the Torah, the first five books of the Bible. Tzedakah (charity), Gimilut Hassadim (acts of loving-kindness) and Tikkun Olam (care of the Earth) are among the values we promote.
These values help our children develop the tools to create a caring community and be considerate of the earth, animals and the people around them. Holiday celebrations, daily prayers of gratitude, food blessings and songs are also at the core of our Judaic programming.
2 Year Olds
Age 2 by September 30
Preschool Fullcare10 or 12-month program
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Part-Time Program
August through June
8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Two-day program (Tuesday and Thursday)
- Three-day program (Monday, Wednesday and Friday)
- Five-day program (Monday through Friday)
Our two-year-old program addresses social, emotional, cognitive and physical areas of development. Teachers guide students in a loving and nurturing environment with activities that encourage language and motor development, as well as creativity and exploration of the world around them.
Throughout the year, our students’ concept of self expands as they learn to be a part of a group and follow directions and daily routines during music, art and story time activities.
Teachers expose students to the content areas of math, science, and social studies and language arts with an inquiry approach to learning. Two-year-old students also have P.E. once a week with a certified physical education teacher and visit the library once a week for interactive story time.
The Judaic program includes the core concept of celebrating Shabbat, simple prayers of gratitude and the Jewish holiday rituals and customs.
3 Year Olds
Age 3 by September 30
Fullcare10 or 12-month program
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m
Part-Time Program
August through June
8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Three-day program (Monday, Wednesday and Friday)
- Five-day program (Monday through Friday)
In our three-year-old program, students begin to develop logical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Teachers and families also work together to encourage independence and self-help skills.
After observing and listening to students, classroom teachers implement units of inquiry and exploration that reflect student interest. Each project and learning activity develops emerging readiness skills in a variety of critical subjects including language arts, math, science, and social studies. As three-year-old students develop a stronger sense of self and relationships with peers, they experience more of a communal Shabbat celebration. They build upon their knowledge of holiday customs and rituals and are ready to understand some of our ethical values like the giving of Tzedakah (charity) and Tikkun Olam (repairing the world).
4 Year Olds
Age 4 by September 30
Fullcare10 or 12-month program
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m
Part-Time Program
August through June
8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Our four-year-old learners develop reading readiness and shift from a passive to active involvement with the written word. Using phonemic sequencing activities inspired by the Lindamood Bell Phonemic Sequencing Program, students are able to identify letters and associate sounds with symbols. They learn to put consonant and vowel sounds together to create words and develop a sight word vocabulary.
Students continue to refine and strengthen fine motor skills as they begin to write with inventive spelling and draw creatively. Using elements from Handwriting without Tears, a popular writing skills curriculum, teachers guide students in letter formation and writing techniques.
Teachers and students work together to develop project experiences and learning activities that further develop readiness skills in a variety of content areas including language arts, math, science, and social studies.
