Paradigm Project Fifth Annual Conference

How can we introduce the customs, values, rituals and beliefs of Judaism to our youngest students, allowing them to construct their own Jewish meaning, and to build on their home learning experiences of Judaism? How do we use the prepared classroom environment to stimulate this learning? How can schools create the conditions that support teachers to design meaningful Jewish learning environments for children that connect to their home learning experiences? Through a close look at research and documentation from several Early Childhood classrooms conducted in progressive Jewish education settings, including Reggio and Montessori based environments, participants will explore how to use the classroom environment to plan rich Jewish learning experiences for young children and connect families to these learning experiences. We offer real and practical experiences of how to incorporate developmentally appropriate and child-led teaching practices while being held by the realities of the Jewish calendar. This session is intended for teachers and program directors interested in enhancing the Jewish learning experiences of young children and supporting families in their Jewish learning journeys.