Summer At the Strauss ECE

The hot dreaded summer is coming; yet we don't dread the summer here at the Strauss ECE.  Our Summers are filled with excitement and lots of exploration.  This Summer we will be taking an imaginary trip to many places.  First we will discover all the different ways you can go; bus, train, plane, car and boat. Then we will visit places like China, The rain forest , Israel and even outer space.  The Summer will also be full of water play with sprinklers, water tables, bubbles and more.  We always love the Summer here at the Strauss ECE.  Take a peak of what the Summer will be like.

Strauss ECE Summer Program 2012

“My Summer Vacation”

Children will have a wonderful summer vacation at the ECE.  They will learn about different modes of transportation and visit places such as Israel, Mexico and even outer space.  This will be one summer vacation they will surely not forget.

May 30^th – June 8^th   Modes of Transportation

This week children will learn about all different types of transportation.  They will sing wheels on the bus, take an imaginary train and airplane ride and explore physics with wheels, gears and ramps.  They will drive trucks through sand and mud, make wheel prints with paint and fly paper airplanes!

June 11^th  - June 22^nd Trip to Israel

Children will take an imaginary trip to Israel.  They will taste glida (ice cream), learn about the Dead Sea through exploring with salt and water.  They will learn about desert life and climb Mount Sinai.  They will visit the Wailing Wall and build their own wall out of blocks.  Children will take a ‘visit’ to a shook (farmers market) and really know what it feels like to be in Israel.  They will sing and listen to Hebrew songs and even learn some Israeli dancing.

June 25^th – 29^th China

Children will explore China by learning all about their culture.  They will mimic Chinese writing and learn some Chinese words.  They will strengthen their fine motor skills by picking things up with chopsticks.  They will also learn the art of folding paper by doing origami.   Children will visit the Great Wall of China and create their own wall with boxes and blocks.

July 2^nd – 6^th Mexico

Children will experience Mexico through speaking and learning the Spanish language.  They will have a fiesta with Mexican food, piñatas and music.  Children will make maracas and learn about the Hispanic culture.

July 9^th – 13^th Rain Forest

Children will learn all about the rain forest.  They will learn about the different animals and plants that live there.  They will enjoy the sounds of the rain forest by creating a rain stick.  They will taste different local foods and make a rain forest trail mix.  They will learn about the different layers of the rain forest and how rain is created.  Children will enjoy making beautiful butterflies out of watercolors while learning about the cycle of a butterfly.  They will enjoy exploring the rain forest and all of its beauty.

July 16^th – 25^th Outer Space

Children will take an imaginary trip to space.  They will learn about astronauts and space ships.  They will learn about planets, moons and stars.  They will sing twinkle, twinkle little star and create their own constellations.  They will explore with moon sand and learn about the phases of the moon.  Children will have the opportunity to look into space through telescopes and create their own space pictures.

Teacher in-service days will be held July 26^th – 31^st and the 2012 school year will start Aug. 1^st 2012. 

Child Friendly Passover Lunch Ideas

You might be thinking here we go again.  Passover is coming up and I don't know what to serve my child for lunch.  I have complied a list of ideas .  I hope this takes some of the stress away so you can enjoy this symbolic holiday.

- Yogurt (you can even put fresh fruit or chocolate chips in it)
- cottage cheese
- tuna salad (roll it up in lettuce like a lettuce wrap)
- Hard boiled eggs
- egg salad (on matzah or wrapped in lettuce)
- olives
- nuts (no legumes like peanuts)
- veggie sticks (carrots, celery, bell peppers)
- fresh fruit (or fruit cup in juice)
- tahini (you can dip matzah or veggies in it)
- potatoes (sweet, baked, mashed, hash browns, fries, etc)
- smoothies
- apple sauce
- Cheese sticks or cube cheese
- Celery with cream cheese or almond butter
- cucumbers
- quinoa
- quinoa or egg pasta

and of course there is Matzah
 - Matzah with almond butter, cream cheese, hazelnut spread, butter
- Matzah pizza (tomato sauce, cheese and toppings such as pineapple, olives, peppers, etc)
- Matzah Cheese sandwich
- Matzah with cream cheese and jelly sandwich
- Matzah ball soup

and there are many items you can find in the Kosher for passover section of your grocery store, such as chips, cookies, matzah, matzah crackers, soups and more.

Physical Activity for a lifetime....Start them young!

In a society of video games and obese children it is important to instill physical activity in children at a young age.  Here at the Strauss ECE we provide many opportunities for children to have movement activities.  We provide  PE, Dance and Creative Movement.  All classrooms also have multiple outside opportunities as well.  Teachers are constantly taking children for walks, teaching skipping in the hallway and preforming songs like, 'head, shoulder, knees and toes' while waiting for the next activity.  Our teachers are also wonderful role models by taking walks with the children and eating healthy.  It is one of our goals to help provide a lifestyle of physical activity.
Here is what you can do to create an active lifestyle for your family:
 - Limit TV/ Computer time
 - Be a role model for your children
 - Go on walks
 - play at the park
 - get involved in a sport league and or exercise program, bring your child to watch
 - make these things part of your daily or nightly routines

Be on the look out for our ECE walking program starting in Spring!  

Cold and Flu Season

Well, it is that time a year again; cold and flu season (yuck!!).  I think we all hold our breath till we make it to that end and hope we get away with minimal illnesses for our children and the rest of the family.  The teachers at the Strauss ECE are diligent about washing their hands and having the children wash their hands as much as possible.  When we went through our NAEYC accreditation we increased our hand washing greatly.  We did see a big decrease in the amount of viruses went around.  That sold me on the benefits in all that hand washing.  Teachers are also constantly sanitizing and cleaning all toys and surfaces.  So what can you do to help minimize the spread of illnesses?

• Wash your hands and your child's hands when you get to school
• Keep your child home when they are sick
• get a flu shot for your whole family

Well...here's to holding a breath through cold and flu season!!  Let's all do a part to make it a good one.

Tu B'shevat Seder

This morning we had a fabulous Tu B'shevat Seder lead by Rabbi Cohon and Rabbi Holtz. We sang and we dance and tasted lots of food that come from the earth! We are glad so many parents were able to attend and are greatly appreciative for those who helped set up and clean up.

 

Yummy food all children tasted!

Check out Egooanot and Soosim's performance!

Check out the fun dance line everyone participated it!

Continuing Education

It is important that in any career that you stay up to date in the latest research and same applies for the field of Early Childhood Educators. Recently Lana, Jaclyn, Cindy Sadowsky, Lyn and myself went to a fabulous conference in Phoenix for Jewish early childhood educators. It was one of the best conferences we have attended.
I went to a few sessions on blogging, one of different personalities and one on behavior. The ones on blogs gave me more ideas for improving what we are already doing. So I look forward to showing you what your children are learning and doing in the classroom through this blog.
The session on different personalities allowed me to realize that every child, parent and teacher are very different. I learned that everyone responds and acts in a different way. This knowledge will help me in my interactions with everyone.
The one I would like to share more with you is the session I went to on behavior. This was not a session on what disciplinary actions one could take, but gave me insight on how to manage behaviors. At the beginning of the session the instructor asked what we wanted to get out of the session. The number one question everyone had was about biting. What she did say was that she did not have the answer; if she did it would not be such a big problem everywhere. What she does know is that it is a reaction; that is can happen in a matter of seconds even if the teacher or parent is standing right there. She also said that it is developmental. It is a way needs can be met or a sensory input can come from it.
The other thing I got out of this session was that we need to be teaching the children the right thing to do. At young ages they are still learning how to behave; so we must teach them. When for example if they are having trouble sharing a toy you should walk them through the proper things to say and do. So if a child takes a toy out of another child's had you teach them to say, "can I have that toy." "I am playing with it." "Can I play with it when you are done?" "Yes." "When will you be done?" "Three minutes."
I feel so fortunate to be able to continue my education. I know that everyone who went to this conference feels motivated with new knowledge and ideas.

How to incorporate Judaism into your every day family routine

When I was younger (about ages 12 to 19) Judaism was very important to me and I incorporated into my daily life.  There was a time I even kept Kosher and possibly wanted to be a Rabbi.  From my 20s to 30s I lost some of my Jewishness and now that I have children I am feeling it coming back.  It is important to me to instill Jewish values and rituals into my children; and later what they decide to do with that is up to them. 

The Jewish religion is full of routines.  In raising young children you almost have to have some routines in order to function; even if they are not planned routines. In order to get out the door and to work/ school we must get up, get dressed, eat breakfast, make lunches, brush teeth and hair, gather all our stuff together and get everyone buckled in car seat and on our way and hopefully arrive on time.  This getting out the door routine can be a real crazy especially if there is a meltdown or two, a diaper explosion or projectile vomiting which may or may not require a change of clothes for me and the baby; which happens quite often in our house.  Routines are healthy for you young children.  It establishes habits such as washing hands.  Routines that are predictable and consistent give children a sense of security.  But what I feel is especially nice about incorporating Judaism into my daily routine is that it gives me and hopefully those around me a sense of peace.

Here are a few things you can do:
Morning:
1.  Say a quick morning prayer or read a morning book such as Boker Tov!  Good Morning.  By Joe Black and Rick Brown
*This gets you ready to start a new day and gives every appreciation for the day.

2.  Say the blessing over bread before eating (Motzi)
*  This forces everyone to wait a moment after the food is in front of you to gain appreciation for the food.  It also stops you for eating so quickly, which is better for your digestion and you tend to just eat what you need.

Afternoon:
1.  Say the Shema before nap.
* This signals your body that it is time to rest.  It is a daily remember that we are Jewish. 

2.  Listen to Jewish music as they are napping. 
*  It is peaceful to sleep to soft music and Jewish music can also teach your child Jewish concepts.

Night:
1.  Wash hands before eating; say the blessing and don't talk until you say Motzi.  (ahh...a moment of silence in your day would be nice)
*  Washing you hands is important to do before you eat to protect yourself against germs.  The blessing is a reminder that you are putting your hands on a higher level by washing them. 

2.  Say the blessing over bread before eating (Motzi)

3.  Say a blessing after you eat (Birkat Hamazon)
*Saying the blessing after you eat is a reminder to be thankful for everything we have.

4.  Before bed talk about what everyone was thankful about in their day.
*It is a great closure for the day.  It teaches children appreciation and as a parent it is also nice to hear the things that your child are appreciative for.

5.  Say the Shema

6.  Play Jewish music to fall asleep too.

Shabbat (Friday night and Sat)
1.  Have a Shabbat dinner or say the Motzi.
* Separates out the week and make this night more special than any night in the week.

2.  Light the Shabbat candles.
*The light welcomes in the Sabbath.

3.  Have a no TV day on Sat.
*Another way to make the Sabbath different and creates more family time.

There are many things you can do to enrich your family's life with Judaism.  Even adding a just a few things you will add a sense of peace in your family. 
If you are interested in gaining more ideas or details please join Lyn and I for a brown bag lunch and a free class about incorporating Jewish rituals into your daily routines on Oct. 20th for 12pm - 1pm in the religious school auditorium.

May you have a sweet New Year!

As many of you might have heard this year the Tot congregants at Temple Emanu-El of Tucson got to share Yom Kippur with Adam Sandler.  This was a pleasant surprise.  Sitting in the Tot service I was surrounded by many young children and their families.  Rabbi Holtz called up two children to open the ark.  I watched as these two children excitingly had a part in the service and parents proudly took videos and pictures on their phones.  I looked over at one proud dad and thought, "that looks like Adam Sandler."  Turns out; it was.
He later went into the Strauss ECE classrooms where he talked with our teachers and played with his children.  Our teachers, who were trying to stay cool were awe strucked; while the children just went on playing.  The truth is, to children teachers are the 'movie stars.'  Sometimes I am fortunate enough to teach one of the classroom while a teacher is out on vacation.  My daughter is so excited and proud that I am a teacher.  She is excited to tell everyone (when I am in the office, it does not count).  What a role model our teachers are for our children.  I am extremely proud of the teachers we have at the Strauss ECE.  Sandler also told the teachers what a hard job they had and was very appreciative of them.  I think that there are times that parents are 'movie stars' too in their child's eye.  Parents are also wonderful examples for their children. 
I wish everyone a sweet and happy new year.  I hope that in a child's eye you are 'movie star' even if it is just a moment.