ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES
SIGN LANGUAGE
Our sign language program begins with our very youngest and goes through our oldest classes. Children learn signs through singing, storytelling, art, and music. There are many benefits to sign language: children can develop a larger vocabulary, become better readers, increase their IQ, and learn to speak earlier as a result.
ART
Art is not only a way to create beauty, rather learning about and creating art hones many skills that help children excel as they mature. With projects planned such as making Hamash hand chimes from clay and beads, wooden sculpture Menorahs, table top Sukkahs, art will allow for stimulation and development of the mind and body.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Physical education is available for children ages one year and older. Children get the chance to move around while learning about their body. Children can learn different skills such as spatial awareness, throwing, kicking, catching, crawling, jumping, and skipping. Learning about their muscles and body parts are other core elements of this enrichment activity.
HEBREW
The goals for teaching Hebrew include creating lessons with visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic learning techniques to help children grasp the new words and letters. Children will learn the Hebrew language through music, arts and craft projects, and story time.
CREATIVE MOVEMENT
Creative movement is offered for children ages one year and older. Children learn to express themselves through movement and listening to music. Rhythm and spatial awareness are key components of this activity.
SPANISH
Spanish is a language that is very prominent in Southern Arizona. The goal of this program is to allow children to understand the framework necessary to succeed with Spanish as a second language. With the incorporation of stories, games and songs, children from ages one year and above will develop the tools to speak and understand the Spanish language.
PUPPET THEATRE
The lights are shining, the audience is filled with anticipation, and then...a handful of puppets come on to the stage! However, these are not your everyday puppets; rather men, women, children, and animals that are trained in the wonderful world of theatre to bring shows unlike any seen before. With the creation of a replica theatrical stage, many of your children's favorite books will be transformed into plays while being performed for ages one year and above. Not only will the entertainment component be present, but each week a special topic in theatre ranging from costumes, actors, and set design will be discussed. Theatre is one of the most creative forms of expression; puppet theatre takes it to a new level.
GARDENING
In an exciting new twist, the Strauss ECE and Kindergarten has opened our own vegetable garden! Every month we will learn about how a vegetable grows, we will have cooking projects with that vegetable. In addition, one class each month will plant the vegetable themselves and water it every week. Once the vegetables are ripe, we will have the wonderful opportunity to pick them.
