MUSIC
We incorporate music into much of the curriculum at Lederman. The goal in providing musical instruction to very young children is to facilitate the development of Basic Musical Competence in each child. Basic Musical Competence is characterized by the ability to a) sing a melody in tune, and b) keep a steady beat. Studies have shown that children develop this competence only through actively making music with their caregivers (as opposed to listening to music), and that the more opportunities children have to sing and to play with rhythm instruments, the more likely they will develop competence. Studies have also shown that there is a “window of opportunity” to develop music skills, and, like language, that window begins to close as children age.Musical ability aids in further language development, both in a child’s native language and in their facility picking up foreign languages later, and that music skills have been linked to increased abilities in math and other areas.
GARDENING
We have an organic garden that we encourage kids to help with! Fruits, veggies and sometimes even flowers for the teachers and parents!
SOCIAL SKILLS
At preschool levels, this is a broad but important area. Young children are just learning how to function in a small group setting yet are frequently curious about other cultures that are unique and often quite different from their own. Learning how to share ideas and objects by talking in a circle is a fundamental social skill. Becoming an independent person by dressing oneself, using the bathroom, taking care of personal and Center belongings, discussions with peers about families, communities and experiences are examples of learning some basic social skills. We celebrate our families’ diversity and encourage them to share information about their culture and especially their traditional holidays they think children of this age may enjoy learning about.
SPECIAL GUESTS
We occasionally have a special guest for fire prevention, rock collecting, story-telling or holiday programs, etc. If you are someone you know has a special skill that would be appropriate, we’d love to hear your ideas.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Parents are invited to join our celebrations for Halloween, Thanksgiving, the winter “Holiday” season and the end of the year celebration. During these events, we encourage parents to get into the spirit of the celebrations by participating in the many activities the teachers plan for you to enjoy with your child. We also feature special events in the classroom, such as Pajama Parties and celebrations of such diverse holidays as Chinese New Year and Cinquo de Mayo. When special events are held during a time when your child is not regularly scheduled, they are welcome to attend the event if accompanied by you or a designated adult companion. Some events will be for children only, while others will be for children and guests. We will post notices of such events.