Vision for Conservative Early Childhood Programs: A Journey Guide
Vision for Conservative Early Childhood Programs: A Journey Guide
Vision for Conservative Early Childhood Programs: A Journey Guide
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That night, when the sun disappeared from the sky, there<br />
was a big party. The music was loud and everyone danced.<br />
Brittany even invited Maddie to come and dance in the<br />
circle with her and her friends. Maddie whirled and twirled<br />
until she could barely breathe. When the song ended,<br />
!<br />
&<br />
2<br />
Maddie went and found her mother. “I’m really glad to be here. I’m sorry I was such a<br />
grump about the Cubs game.” Maddie’s mother hugged her <strong>for</strong> a long time. Maddie went<br />
back to the dancing, and she won a T-shirt that said, “I danced at Brittany’s bat mitzvah!”<br />
Maddie took the shirt to her mother and said, “Can I give this shirt to Eloise?” “Sure, but<br />
why?” her mother asked. Maddie smiled and said, “So she won’t be too sad that she<br />
didn’t get to be here.”<br />
For class discussion:<br />
1. When she found out she couldn’t go to the baseball game, how did Maddie feel?<br />
2. How did Maddie feel at the bat mitzvah, when she began to appreciate what she<br />
had?<br />
3. Why did Maddie’s mom hug her <strong>for</strong> a long time when she apologized at the<br />
party?<br />
For class life:<br />
1. Samayach b’chelko *being content with your lot*is a lesson many people never<br />
learn. Young children are predisposed to want whatever is most attractive at that<br />
moment (which often is something someone else is finding attractive at that<br />
moment). This story can help children begin to learn this value. When an<br />
argument over a toy begins, use this story to encourage children to find happiness<br />
in another choice.<br />
2. In the book Ten Good Rules, Susan Remick Topek translates the tenth<br />
commandment, which literally is “Do not covet,” as “Be happy with what you<br />
have.” When you spot children enjoying something in which they are involved,<br />
point out they are following the tenth commandment.<br />
3. Look <strong>for</strong> examples of samayach b’chelko, or characters who are unhappy because<br />
they are not happy with what they have, in secular children’s books. Besides<br />
Fancy Nancy: Bonjour Butterfly, another good example is Rainbow Fish by<br />
Marcus Pfister.<br />
<strong>Vision</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Conservative</strong> <strong>Early</strong> <strong>Childhood</strong> <strong>Programs</strong>: A <strong>Journey</strong> <strong>Guide</strong><br />
USCJ Department of Education<br />
Maxine Handelman<br />
Handelman@uscj.org<br />
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