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| Debby Landesman |
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Parents are the child's first and primary educators, and the preschool years represent the child's first formal learning experience. So, it is in preschool that our children are given the foundation of the many behavioral patterns, that, as they grow older, will be expected of them. Building a sense of community, a kehillah, in a Synagogue preschool, is a behavioral pattern that they will carry with them for the rest of their education and into life's experiences.
In a warm, nurturing environment, children know that they are safe, cared for, and supported. They know that they belong and that their teachers will be there for them. One of our long term goals is to foster a sense of compassion and respect for everyone in the class, and teach the children to work cooperatively and responsibly. The children enjoy each other's successes, and respect one another while they take pride in a group effort.
How can we possibly do all of these things? Group projects and activities allow us to instill that sense of pride in a communal effort. Walk through the halls in the preschool wing and you will see many large group paintings. These are not "yours" or "mine", but it is a corrobative effort,"OURS". And "OUR" work is ever so very beautiful. A story that we write together and then make into a book, is a much better book to read in school. A building that several children construct together is stronger and much more fun. Preparing "dinner" in the kitchen area is more fun when we prepare the menu and serve the food together. And we need lots of people to make the parachute go up and down. When we dance and sing, we take turns having many different partners. Every day, in every way, we work toward that long term goal of creating caring, inclusive children who will grow up to be nurturing leaders of the community.
Purim, that wonderful story about wise Modechai, beautiful Queen Esther, the big party-goer KIng Achashverosh and mean old Haman is coming very soon. It is a time to make hamantashen, groggers and masks and have wonderful fun celebrations. It is also a time for us to reinforce the sense of community and compassion in our children. All schools make mishloach manot baskets, but the teachers of our 4 year old Superstars have added a twist to teach the children the true meaning of sharing and caring and working together. Each child will be asked to bring in a special treat from home - enough to share with each friend in class and then another 4. Then each child has a chance to put his special treat into each friend's bag - plus the extra 4. When they are finished, there will be 4 extra mishloach manot bags which we will then donate to the Juwish Association for Developmental Disabilities. What a sense of pride and community the teachers will instill in these children. Then, every child in the school will make a grogger with macaroni. But, instead of taking the macaroni out of the box and filling another receptacle, the teachers wiil cover the whole box with paper. The children will then have an opportunity to decorate the paper and the box of macaroni will be in tact so that when Purim is over, we can donate the food to charity. What a fabulous idea!!!
Together we're better. It's not just a meaningless phrase, but an ethic we should live by.
Have a great Purim. Eat, drink, be merry, and work together.
Debby Landesman, Preschool Director
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