• Growing Wonder

  • Menu
  • About Deb
  • Contact

Growing Wonder

Nurturing the spiritual development of young children and those who teach and love them.


Home

Educational Consulting

  • Consulting Overview
  • Program Development
  • – Through a Jewish Lens
  • Workshops
  • Speaking / Writing

Theory

Nature Products / Experiences

  • Products / Experiences Overview
  • Nature Bottle-making Workshops

Blog

August was full!

Published by BBarnett on September 13, 2016

August began with the National Nature-Based Preschool Conference, at Dodge Nature Center in St Paul, MN, August 15 – 17.  I was pleased to present, and to have worked on the planning committee. The setting was amazing – filled with nature, growing crops, animals, colleagues and new friends from across the country.  My presentation to these early childhood educators focused on the connection between spiritual development of young children and nature, with a new twist.  I chose not use a PowerPoint, and participants reported that they were able to use their own thoughts and images to absorb these concepts, rather than those I might have chosen for them. This was an important lesson for me to learn.

Before the workshop was over, I invited everyone to use recycled bottles to make their own Nattles.  I think it was a successful time for all.

On August 23, I offered a workshop sponsored by The St. Paul Talmud Torah and St Paul Public Schools, to which both parents and educators were invited to hear about and explore children’s development in relationship to Streams of Living and Learning (science, technology, reading/responsibility/respect, engineering/ecology/environment, art, math, and spiritual development).  On January 2, I’ll do a follow-up workshop with a Jewish lens superimposed upon children’s living and learning.

On August 24, I did a short presentation to The Aleph Preschool educators of Beth El Synagogue. Together we explored the connection between nature and spiritual development, as the educators took their first steps towards beginning the new school year. I plan to return in January to keep the conversation alive.

Finally, on August 28 in Orange County, California, I joined my husband, Jeffrey, as we retold the story of Rabbi Abahu’s shining face. The next day, I worked directly with Jewish early childhood educators as we explored the idea of spiritual development for young Jewish children.  Both events were sponsored by the Jewish Federation and Family Services of Orange County, California.

Whew!

Posted in Blog | Tagged professional development

← Previous Next →

Clients say…

On my upcoming book, Inspiring Wonder, Awe, and Empathy – Spiritual Development for Young Children: Deb Schein has successfully unpacked the meaning of spirituality for young children in this incredibly compelling and well written treatise that will engage early childhood educators, parents, and leaders in the field. Through her personal narrative, which is skillfully woven throughout the text, this gifted educator takes the reader on a journey to explore the many facets of spiritual developmen…
Dr. David Brody, Assistant Professor, Efrata College of Education, Jerusalem
... all testimonials
{Deb} bridged spirituality and STEAM, often something I have difficulty doing. I get the STEAM, but miss the spirituality, an innovative approach.
Attendee, 2015 BJE Early Childhood Institute
... all testimonials
We are most appreciative of the contribution you made to the day, and the benefits that the students of those in attendance will derive from your teaching.
Attendee, 2015 BJE Early Childhood Institute
... all testimonials
Very interesting and refreshing to learn about the developmental growth of children from a spiritual point of view. Thank you!
Attendee, 2015 BJE Early Childhood Institute
... all testimonials
We loved Deb Schein! Her sessions were well organized; she knows her subject deeply and facilitated a cross-cultural environment that encouraged everyone to learn and feel capable to implement their learning in the classroom.
Education director / workshop participant, 2014 Roots of Nature early childhood education conference
... all testimonials
Deb is the first person I contact with any questions about how very young children learn concepts. Her in-depth knowledge and experience is always a source of guidance for me and my work in science education.
Marlene Hilkowitz, STEM Preservice Teacher Development
... all testimonials
Such a great lecture!  It’s so nice at the beginning of the year to recenter oneself on the basics of the relationship between child and teacher.
Workshop participant, August 2013
... all testimonials
Thank you for your wonderful presentation at the BJE event. I enjoyed listening to you and felt incredibly inspired by you. I too believe that as teachers we are facilitators and the moment we understand that, we open an entire realm of possibilities for our children.
Farnaz Hazany, MS, MFTI
... all testimonials
I had been looking forward to your course since beginning my Master’s degree one year ago. Through thought-provoking questions, informative articles, and enlightening discussions, you’ve really challenged me to think about my position as an infant-toddler professional in new ways. And you’ve changed the way I see infant development and learning. Thank you so much for making this course such a valuable part of my education and of my ongoing work.  I will be reflecting on your guidance for a lon…
Sandra, graduate student
... all testimonials
Thank you Deb for your leadership and persistence in bringing our interest forums together and pioneering this nifty collaboration! It was your vision that made it happen. It is really a wonderfully colorful illustration of how folks and interest forums with varying perspectives can work together and share unifying moments, such as where science, play and spirituality flow together.
Walter, 2017 NAEYC conference participant
... all testimonials

Events

  • 2019 TASP & IPAUSA Joint Conference- 03/13/2019 - 03/16/2019
  • ... all events

Subscribe to my newsletter

  • Home
  • Educational Consulting
  • Theory
  • Nature Products / Experiences
  • Blog

Copyright © 2019 Growing Wonder. Powered by WordPress and mightylittlewebsites.com