Last night I was with a couple who regularly care for their 16 month old granddaughter. Their faces lit up as they shared stories of her exploring their home. One of these stories was about her finding her grandmother’s containers of sprinkles used for decorating cakes and cookies. They were found in a low kitchen Read the full article…
I’m here at the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) conference in Washington, DC, where early childhood educators, administrators, students, researchers and teacher educators come together to explore the latest research and learn from one another. I’m here to present as members of two panels, on Spirituality and Teacher’s Dispositions, and on Read the full article…
Sharing my Research on Spirituality with an Efrata Early Childhood Study Group I was pleased and surprised to find that David had created a study group of educators similar to the Ohio study groups now known as OVL (Ohio Voices of Learning). The group I met with has been meeting for two years, and this Read the full article…
A colleague of mine, Dr. David Brody, teaches at a college that happens to be around the corner from where I am staying in Jerusalem. I asked if I might visit his class. He agreed, and also arranged for a student to translate for me. David trains students to become early childhood educators in the Read the full article…
When we arrived in Eilat, Jeff and I went straight to the beach. I was disappointed. I saw no real beach to speak of. There was no sand, only broken pieces of ugly grey rocks. In other words, my naked eye did not see anything worth collecting for my Nattles. It wasn’t until the next Read the full article…
I will be the speaker at an upcoming gathering for a group of Rabbi and Jewish educators who are interested in spirituality. The group is called The Hashpa’ah Focus Group, and was convened by Rabbi Goldie Milgram. I will be sharing my grounded theory study on spiritual development of young children. If time permits, I Read the full article…
My husband, Jeffrey and I just attended the Ohio Voices for Learning (OVL) Inspired Teachers Institute that took place at the Columbus School for Girls. This was the first time Jeff every shared an early childhood workshop with me. Usually, I go with him to Jewish conferences. Sonya Shoptaugh was the speaker, and the theme Read the full article…
Today I received an email from the editors of NAEYC Press. It contained a picture of the cover of the book, The Great Outdoors: Providing Natural Spaces for Young Children, for which I wrote a chapter on spirituality and nature. The editors deemed the topic of spirituality important enough to weave it throughout the book. I have not Read the full article…
Yesterday was our last day with the grandchildren. The older two, Ilan, age 5, and Talia, age 3, their Saba (grandfather) and I have been collecting pieces of nature all during our visit. We found rocks, sand, a few seashells, twigs, leaves, and, of all things, amazingly beautiful buckeyes, in Minneapolis. We picked raspberries and Read the full article…
Sukkot is a holiday that is celebrated with a full moon. Our grandchildren built and decorated their sukkah before we arrived in town. We sang all the brachot (blessings), drank wine, and ate challah in the sukkah. The entire time no one said anything about the moon. One of the children’s stories did, though. It Read the full article…