Playing for Keeps: PreSchool Playground Gets Educational Upgrades
Children explore the world through play, learning cognitive, social and physical skills in the process. Language, math, problem-solving, creativity, strength, endurance, self-regulation, gross and fine motor skill development – these are just some of the skills kids learn during play.
Learning through play is a hallmark of BT PreSchool’s emergent curriculum approach, inspired by the Reggio Emilia schools in Italy — one of the most highly respected early childhood programs in the world. Our teachers work alongside the children to create authentic experiences that engage children’s interests and encourage them to think, question, investigate, explore and discover, all through a Jewish lens.
“These playground additions enable our teachers to enhance their student’s learning experiences,” says BT PreSchool Director Melissa Lebowitz. “By intentionally adding these items, our teachers can extend their curriculum to the playground.”
Stay tuned for information about a special dedication ceremony to thank the donors who made these expanded learning opportunities possible: Beth Tfiloh Congregation's Sisterhood, BT School's Parent Association and the Kurt and Rose Stanger Charitable Fund.
Learning through play is a hallmark of BT PreSchool’s emergent curriculum approach, inspired by the Reggio Emilia schools in Italy — one of the most highly respected early childhood programs in the world. Our teachers work alongside the children to create authentic experiences that engage children’s interests and encourage them to think, question, investigate, explore and discover, all through a Jewish lens.
To make the most of our PreSchool students’ playtime, several donors provided funding to add elements to the PreSchool playground, which was originally dedicated in memory of Ethel and Nathan Cohn and Bessie and Joseph Fishbein. These upgrades allow the children to practice the same skills outside that they do inside. Based on input from our PreSchool teachers, the additions include a garden, a Plexiglas art easel, kid-sized benches by the pergola for dramatic play, reading, music, story time and more, a path for bikes and scooters, and an imaginary play construction zone. Each of these enhancements provides a wealth of developmental opportunities, including motor skills, language development, and vocabulary expansion as well as math, science, social studies and arts.
“These playground additions enable our teachers to enhance their student’s learning experiences,” says BT PreSchool Director Melissa Lebowitz. “By intentionally adding these items, our teachers can extend their curriculum to the playground.”
Stay tuned for information about a special dedication ceremony to thank the donors who made these expanded learning opportunities possible: Beth Tfiloh Congregation's Sisterhood, BT School's Parent Association and the Kurt and Rose Stanger Charitable Fund.
Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School
Roz & Marvin H. Weiner Family Campus
3300 Old Court Road | Baltimore, MD 21208
410-486-1905 | mail@bethtfiloh.com
3300 Old Court Road | Baltimore, MD 21208
410-486-1905 | mail@bethtfiloh.com
Learning together. For life.
Baltimore’s only Jewish independent preparatory school serving PreSchool through Grade 12.
Baltimore’s only Jewish independent preparatory school serving PreSchool through Grade 12.
© Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School