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Sounds and shadows

Published by Deb Schein on September 25, 2013

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 apples, petted the llama, goats, sheep, and braying donkey, and played on a playground made of recycled material. Finally it was time to make our Nattles (nature rattles). Ilan used the buckeyes we had found along Lake Calhoun. He carefully counted out five buckeyes to match his age, and then added grass and sand. When the Nattle was complete, we rolled it between us. It made a lovely sound as the buckeyes became buried in the sand and then reappeared.

Tali’s Nattle also had sand and rocks. Her rocks were black and showed up nicely against the white sand. She and I worked on this Nattle together. We decided to add a delicate branch with some drying flowers. The branch only showed up when the Nattle was held up at one end. When we shook the Nattle in reverse, the flowers would disappear in the sand. The sound from this Nattle was softer than Ilan’s.

After the children were in bed, I noticed that flowering branch in Talia’s Nattle produced a great shadow outside of the Nattle. These Nattles never fail to surprise me. I hope Talia notices the shadows. All during our visit, she talked about shadows. Maybe it was because of her interest that I actually noticed the shadow. We are all so interconnected. In ways we don’t always know.

Posted in Blog | Tagged Nattles, observing, wonder

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Clients say…

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.
Beth Friedman-Romell
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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
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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
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{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
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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.
Walter, 2017 NAEYC conference participant
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I want to thank you for sharing your very special wisdom and life experiences with our staff. Everyone enjoyed it tremendously. I look forward to more collaborations.
Lori L. BernsteinDirector of
Early Childhood & School Age Activities
Shaw JCC of Akron
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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
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I am so glad that you will be the Jewish support person for the JCC. Your passion and expertise will be so inspiring for the staff and children.
Jennifer SlatteryDirector of Early Childhood ProgramsBeth Shalom, Pittsburgh
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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
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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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