Dear Families, Our goal in teaching is that our children, your children, and thus the adults of our world, learn the most precious, highly intuitive, sometimes elusive, skill of empathy. Empathy, compassion and understanding are not only emotions that can be nurtured, but can and should be taught. Through example, through our actions, and through our proactive, turning the negative into a positive, empathetic teaching, of which you and we are a partner, we can and will raise adults who realize that we are a part of a whole and that our actions deeply affect each other. This week our friends in room 24 proved how much they have absorbed these skills. They, each and everyone, displayed such understanding of the other, when one was hurt, when didn't get their turn, when the other needed help. Over and over, Teacher Marloes and I were amazed at their fluency of language, as well as their love and compassion for each other. From hugs and kisses, to asking "are you okay?" - they have made us both so proud. Their self-help skills have improved immensely, here at school, we encourage you to continue to allow them to dress themselves, with shoes and socks, help with dishes, help clean up at home, etc. Together, we can and have raised the bar of what a 2 year old CAN DO! To assert for themselves their own personal boundaries; of what is appropriate at their own comfort level when a friend puts their hands on their bodies (which all two year olds' do - and we teach that hands are" for holding and giving hugs"). We teach them to talk it out with each other instead of coming to an adult to help resolve their problems. After all, they are quite astute in verbalizing it to us, therefore quite capable to work it for them selves, n'est pas? With the gentle redirection of "Wow!, How can we resolve this problem?", they learn problem solving tools, and yes, even at two. The trick is to allow them their resolution, despite who may be right or who had the toy first. We see this happening everyday. Your children are building amazing leadership skills, now! What a gift. We encourage you to continue this work at home. Some reminders: Our Tot Shabbat is on Saturday, February 6th from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, with Rabbi Josh Knobel and Ditza Zakay. Please make sure to pre-register at: www.mycart.wise-school.org. We wish you all a peaceful and lovely Shabbat Enjoy the warm weather this weekend! Elizabeth and Marloes
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FIRST STEPS
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