It’s the end of the year, but the beginning of some great events at the Alper JCC.
Join in for the grand opening of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in the Lisa Ann Watson Children’s Discovery Museum on the Alper JCC campus, Jan. 5, noon to 4 p.m. Skip through 3D interactive lifesized pages from Frank Baum’s story. In Dorothy’s House, children will learn and simulate life on a farm and think about what makes their own home special. They will also learn about tolerance for diverse people in the fully interactive Land of the Munchkins. The Tin woodsman will teach children about having a heart and the Scarecrow will show kids how smart they are with Brain teaser activities, animal pictures, puzzles, ethical learning and more. This exhibit will keep children on an engaging educational experience.
Admission is only $5 per person.
On opening day, author/illustrator Artie Sandstone will read his new children’s book, Wally Schwellberry – leased to Meet You, at 1 p.m., followed by a special screening for children and families of The Muppets’Wizard of Oz movie at 2 p.m. in the Russell Theater. Children can come dressed as their favorite Wizard of Oz character. For more information, call 305- 271-9000, ext. 268.
The J has more great opportunities for young children. Glen Greenstein Early Childhood Development Center (ECD) will hold an Open House on Sunday, Jan. 26, where you can come learn all that the ECD has to offer. With an infant/toddler program for two months to two years and Preschool 3 and Pre-K programs, Dr. Phyllis Bochman leads a team of early childhood professionals who are certified in early childhood development and receive supervisory support and in-service training. Low enrollment limits guarantee excellent adult-child interaction.
Recognizing the value of child-initiated active learning, the child development curriculum includes activities that build on children’s natural curiosity, are matched to children’s current and emerging abilities and allow for exploration and variation.
The Glen Greenstein ECD participates in Florida’s voluntary pre-kindergarten program and offers a wide variety of after school enrichment classes for preschoolers, including cultural arts and athletics.
The ECD is an A.P.P.L.E. accredited school (Accredited Professional Preschool Environment) through the Florida Association of Childcare Management (FACCM) and is a recipient of the five-star Early Learning Award through Quality Counts voluntary five-star rating system, a program of the Miami-Dade County Early Learning Coalition that reviews programs according to clearly defined, high quality standards. Come to the Open House to ask questions and explore this highly rated preschool for your children.
There are endless opportunities for every age and stage, so check out the J’s Winter Class Schedule. Winter Session begins on Jan. 12, with arts and fitness classes and leagues. Go to www.alperjcc.org to find out more.
Another wonderful opportunity awaits in the Futernick Family Art Gallery with the opening of Isaac Bashevis Singer and his artists on Jan. 12, from 1-4 p.m. A recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1978, Singer was a towering figure among modern Yiddish writers in America. The exhibit features illustrations of Singer’s stories by 14 artists, including Des Asmussen, Maurice Sendak, Eric Carle, William Pene DuBois, Leonard Everett Fisher, Roman Vishniac, Antonio Frasconi, Nonny Hogrogian, Ira Moskowitz, Larry Rivers, Symeon Shimin, Uri Shulevitz, Raphael Soyer and Margot Zemach, many of whom were recipients of such awards as the Caldecott Medal, Newbery Award, and the Hans Christian Andersen Medal.
