The Micah Children’s Academy Educational Philosophy
Micah Children’s Academy was created with the vision of age-appropriate, play-based learning that integrates the best of early childhood education theories and research-based best practices. The Academy strives to focus on the whole child and scaffold growth in each developmental domain by structuring our day with a variety of learning opportunities where children can construct their own knowledge. We integrate our Jewish values, art, sensory experiences, music, movement, love and awe of nature, math, and science into our every day.
Our Educators
Our educators build classroom communities that are inclusive and reflective of each child, family, and culture. They place value on facilitating an environment that is positive, supportive, and reflective of the conviction that: (1) childhood is sacred (2) children learn best through their play and by constructing their own knowledge, (3) children’s imaginations need to be nurtured and inspired, (4) children are capable of great empathy, (5) children are capable problem-solvers, and (6) children are best guided by thoughtful questions, redirection, an age-appropriate natural and logical consequences.
play based Curriculum with focus on Jewish Family Values
Micah Children’s Academy is located in the education wing of Congregation Micah. Congregation Micah is a vibrant reform synagogue, offering creative and diverse ways to celebrate Jewish life using the rich beliefs and practices of modern Reform Judaism as its foundation. Congregation Micah has adopted the words of Micah (6:8), the Biblical prophet and civil rights advocate as its congregational message of equality and welcome for all: “Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with thy God.”
MCA works closely with Congregation Micah clergy and staff to enrich our program’s Jewish values-based curriculum, including a weekly “Tot-Shabbat” program.
Weekly Enrichment Program
Each week, specialized educators will lead students in enriching, play-based activities that build upon the mission and classroom curricula of Micah Children’s Academy. These specialized weekly activities will take place 10 months out of the school year and are as follows:
Music: Cantor Goldberg enriches our students' lives with his musical talents, allowing students to explore various instruments, musical games and songs in both Hebrew and English.
Judaic: As children learn the Jewish culture through their explorations daily, our Judaic leaders strengthen their understanding through songs, stories, games, and rituals. The Hebrew language is also introduced in meaningful ways.
Vibes: Vibes stands for Voice, Imagination, Body Exercises and storytelling. The goal of this enrichment is to strengthen students’ body awareness and abilities to self-regulate. Using songs and stories as our base, students will be led through engaging whole-body movements, vocalizations, and imaginative play. Much of what takes place lends to creative self-expression, mindfulness, and theatrics.
Nature: With Congregation Micah’s beautiful campus, the Academy has ample opportunities to engage with nature. Our gardens give real-life experiences to understand life cycles and how to care for our Earth. Children are not only exploring, cultivating, growing, and tending to all the nature our campus provides, they are using these opportunities to build foundational math and science knowledge through activities that engage their whole body, mind, and spirit.
