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. 

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!  

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!

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.