BHA Preschool - Criteria for Participation in Program

We aim to accommodate any child ages 2-4 into our intimate learning community. Because of the limitations of our space and staffing, we outlined these criteria to help determine if we can meet a child's needs.

As you review these criteria, do your best to assess your child, and apply "Always," "Usually," "Sometimes," or "Rarely" to each statement.

Please contact ilana@beaconhebrewalliance.org to discuss your specific questions, particularly if you wish for your child to attend BHA Preschool but you answer "sometimes" or "rarely" to one or more criteria.

Autonomy:

• Child walks independently and feeds self.  
• Child is comfortable to explore away from your side in an unfamiliar setting.

Communication: 

• Child communicates basic feelings and needs through facial expressions, vocalization, and body language if not words.  
• Child interacts with others (preliminarily by pointing to show things to others and by copying actions and words for example).  

Pro-Social Behavior: 

• Child plays contentedly near or with other children. 
• Child does not use physical or verbal aggression as a regular form of communication. 

Attention:

• Child shows interest in guidance from grown-ups. 
• Child pays attention during a teacher-directed gathering (for group songs, movement, stories, etc.) for at least ten minutes. (If child has not had a formal teacher yet, consider social situations that include adult direction.) 
• Child sustains interest in independent play or activity for at least ten minutes.

Sensory Integration:

Child is comfortable -

• making eye contact.
• receiving the gentle touch of another person (hand shake, or shoulder touch).
• in a moderately noisy environment.