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Forsythia and Pesach

Published by Deb Schein on March 24, 2014

A strange and amazing thing happened to me today while driving in my car. I was thinking about how early childhood Jewish educators might begin introducing Pesach to their young students. First I thought of deep cleaning and maybe changing dishes in the house keeping corner. Next I thought of spring and spring walks. I was actually thinking about all the small signs of spring children can notice when invited to do so.  I was thinking about inviting children to draw what they see and to dictate ideas about this coming spring.

It was at that point I looked in my review mirror, and in my mind, I thought I saw a row of lovely blossoming forsythia. Coming from California, forsythia was the first speck of color I saw after my first white winter in Philadelphia so many years ago.

forsythia

Yellow happens to be my favorite color.  Technically, I knew it was impossible for a row of forsythia to have blossomed and to have been behind me on the road.  I looked again and instead I saw an old yellow tractor following behind me.

Funny how playful the mind can be when we are thinking pleasant thoughts.

Posted in Blog, Jewish | Tagged observing

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Shaw JCC of Akron
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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.
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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.
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I am 9 weeks away from finishing my music therapy internship. I still have the nature items I collected at that Shabbaton on my dresser – your workshop was so inspiring in helping me decide to go forward with this [career]. Music therapy is a good fit for me and I hope you are finding your work similarly rewarding.
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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.
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Jennifer SlatteryDirector of Early Childhood ProgramsBeth Shalom, Pittsburgh
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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… Read more
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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… Read more
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