Seven curriculum goals have been developed for infants and toddlers based on national and state education standards (Illinois Early Learning Standards) as well as the guidelines of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Chicago-based Kehillah Jewish Early Childhood Accreditation Project.

Self-concept Development

Children learn about themselves, feel valued and secure in their relationships, feel competent and proud about what they can do, feel supported as they express their independence.

Emotional development

Children learn about their feelings, communicate a broad range of emotions through gestures, sounds and over time words.

Social Development

Children learn about others, develop trusting relationships with nurturing adults, show interest in peers, demonstrate caring and cooperation, practice roles and relationships through imitation and play.

Language Development

Children learn how to communicate, express needs and thoughts without using words, respond to verbal and nonverbal commands, and communicate through language.

Physical Development

Children learn body awareness, develop gross motor skills, develop fine motor skills, coordinate eye and hand movements and develop self-help skills.

Cognitive Development

Children acquire thinking skills, gain an understanding of basic concepts and relationships, apply knowledge to new situations, and develop strategies for solving problems.

Jewish Development

Children develop Jewish identity, and become part of a community. They learn about Jewish people, objects, holidays, values and practices.

Experts agree that children are born ready to learn. That’s why we believe it is never too early to being developing a child’s Jewish identity. Just as children who are introduced to books and reading at an early age will look forward to story time, children who have listened to Shabbat songs, and tasted grape juice and challah will begin to associate joy and sweetness with Judaism.