Vision for Conservative Early Childhood Programs: A Journey Guide

Teaching in a Conservative Jewish early childhood program means that the teacher and
the director, too, are journeying. Each director and teacher should see her or himself as a
Jewish educator – an ongoing learner. Being an educator in Jewish early childhood
setting requires being willing to learn and serve as a role model of Jewish values. Jewish
educators are lifelong learners.
Staff who are ongoing learners, who offer learning opportunities to others, bring to
children a world of joyful Jewish learning. In turn, parents’ Jewish identity and practice is
strengthened by their children’s participation in a Jewish early childhood program. The
entire community is strengthened when Jewish learning opportunities are strong
components of an early childhood setting.
Jewish Learning
Table of Contents
Children’s Learning 72
Family Education and Learning 75
Staff Learning 81
Bibliography and resources 86
Vision for Conservative Early Childhood Programs: A Journey Guide
USCJ Department of Education
Maxine Handelman
Handelman@uscj.org
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