Educational Philosophy
Wonder. Play. Create. Learn.
At Alper JCC Miami's Glen Greenstein Early Childhood Development Center, children thrive through purposeful exploration in a playful, supportive setting. We celebrate each child’s curiosity, uniqueness, and abilities while fostering empathy and belonging.
As a Jewish progressive school, we encourage children to actively shape their learning journey. Families are valued partners, and our stimulating environment helps every child reach their full potential.
Our dedicated teachers continuously refine the curriculum through professional development and reflective practice. Located on the Alper JCC Miami campus, our spaces inspire wonder, creativity, and intellectual growth. Here, children are seen as capable, curious learners guided by skilled educators every day.
See all of the wonderful things we have to offer!
Our curriculum puts children at the center of their learning by connecting activities to their interests. Inspired by John Dewey’s belief that “Education is life,” learning is child-led and teacher-guided.
Play is essential for young learners to explore, experiment, and interact with others. Our teachers observe play to shape curriculum and create engaging environments where learning happens naturally.
When children play at the Glen Greenstein Early Childhood Development Center, they:
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Imitate real world roles and scenarios
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Recognize colors, shapes, letters, and numbers
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Explore spatial relationships with open-ended materials
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Develop fine and gross motor skills
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Discover science, nature, and problem-solving
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Learn sequencing, patterns, and early math concepts
Play supports cognitive, social-emotional, and physical growth while building self-awareness and cooperation. Teachers encourage creativity and deepen learning by offering new ideas and asking thoughtful questions.
Infants & Toddlers
Caring for infants and toddlers goes beyond meeting physical needs. At Alper JCC Miami, our responsive teachers nurture every aspect of young children’s development.
Our Infant-Toddler program provides a safe, flexible, and child-centered environment where infants and toddlers can look, listen, wiggle, crawl, climb, rest, eat, explore, and even get a little messy.
Classrooms are filled with sensory-rich materials that invite children to reach, explore, and play at their own pace, supporting natural learning and growth in a comforting space designed just for them.
Twos & Threes
Our Twos and Threes program nurtures social-emotional skills and independence through playful learning. Children engage with peers, adults, and materials, building confidence and positive social behaviors.
Materials are arranged to encourage independence, while daily routines foster self-reliance and awareness. Children freely explore the classroom, becoming capable learners.
Learning flows naturally from their interests, helping develop memory, problem solving, motor skills, and communication for lifelong growth.
Pre-K
Our Pre-K program prepares children for kindergarten by developing critical thinking, social-emotional skills, and meaningful learning.
We build critical thinking through curiosity, open-ended materials, and project-based learning. Social-emotional growth helps children express emotions, communicate, and solve problems with peers, creating a cooperative environment.
Hands-on lessons connect subjects like math and literacy, helping children understand the “how” and “why” behind what they learn. This approach supports a rich and integrated early education.
