At Vancouver Talmud Torah we are fortunate to have one of the finest preschool and kindergarten centres in the province. Our well-equipped classrooms and creative playground provide an exciting, stimulating environment in which our students may learn and explore the world around them. Our excellent facilities enable us to provide a wide range of activities to meet the needs of all the children, enabling them to achieve the fullest measure of growth. All activities presented are carefully planned to promote the perceptual and conceptual development of the children, essential for later academic success.

Our philosophy is to educate children to be thoughtful, considerate and creative individuals. We encourage them to experience the joy of their Jewish traditions, values and culture.  By teaching the children to treat others as they would treat themselves, we start them on the road to being a “mensch.”  Children should be equipped with the tools and skills to help them meet the challenges of our complex society. Through the learning process at Talmud Torah, we believe they will be better able to make responsible choices as Jews--and Canadians--in today’s world.

An integrated curriculum

We believe in a theme-based approach to learning. Through an intense focus on one subject area, the exploration expands to multiple domains. Thus a unit on spiders will include reading, science, math, computers, art and even baking! This philosophy drives all lesson plans to make the learning meaningful, relevant and integrated. We also strive to follow children’s interests taking each area of interest as far each child is able to go, and provide as many first-hand related experiences as possible. Field trips enlarge the children’s life experience.

Early Literacy

We are proud of our reading readiness and phonological awareness programs which provide early screening for all kindergarten students. Through games and seat work, the children learn the letter names and sounds providing the groundwork necessary for reading and writing success. Regular visits to our excellent school library, as well as a take home reading program, support our early literacy initiatives.

Judaics

Our Judaic program incorporates Hebrew language readiness activities. Woven into each day are Hebrew language experiences. The children are introduced to the Hebrew Alef-Bet. They learn to recognize and print their Hebrew name. The children learn greetings, how to count, names of colours and familiar objects, blessings for food, and songs and prayers.  Every Friday the children enjoy Kabbalat Shabbat, experiencing all the traditional rituals of welcoming the Sabbath. All religious holidays are observed and interpreted at their level.  Bible stories are told and discussed. All this is done in the spirit of joy and spontaneity. Recognizing that the earliest experiences of life are often the most lasting, we strive to foster a warm and positive attitude in the children towards their Jewish heritage.

Art, Music & Drama

A wide range of art activities are available each day to provide the spiritual satisfaction of creating. These activities help the children develop initiative to work independently or in a group and foster confidence in working with creative media that will give them life-long gratification. 

The Kindergarten children enjoy a weekly program of music and song with a music specialist as well as weekly classes with our drama specialist. Music activities are also part of our daily program. 

All kindergarten students perform in our annual Chanukah concert, a much anticipated community event.

Physical Development & Education

Kindergarten children play outdoors every day--even in the rain! Large muscle co-ordination is developed through the running, jumping, balancing, climbing, and digging activities available.  They learn to perceive spatial relationships and judge distance. Small motor skills are developed through play, crafts and seat work. The children participate in a weekly program with a qualified PE instructor. While learning and following the rules of the games, children acquire the important values of good-sportsmanship.

Hours

By the 2011-12 school year, all kindergartens in BC will be full-day. To plan for this change, we are offering families the option to enroll in a full day kindergarten for the 2010-11 school year. The 3:20 dismissal time will coincide with the release of children in grades 1-7. For those parents who choose the full day kindergarten, students will have the opportunity to extend their learning through play and theme-based activities designed to further enhance their learning experience at VTT.