Preschoolers Take Own Judaic Journey With 'Peer K Explorer'

One of the Judaic Journeys the JCC recently has undertaken is the JCC Association's preschool program entitled "Ethical Start."

"This program uses Pirkei Avot as a catalyst for teaching values to young children," said Barbara Topolosky, JCC College Avenue Early Childhood Services director. "This national program, used in many fortunate preschools, was adopted last year and expanded this year at our three preschool sites.

"Our teachers had an intensive training period in Baltimore, Md., to learn about and experience the program," she said. "This entailed learning about Pirkei Avot – "Ethics of our Fathers" – text studies, brainstorming ideas for the children, classroom, parents, and teachers, and the philosophy behind adding the wise sayings of our sages to our curriculum.

"We have enjoyed watching our children's faces as they use the cute doll, 'Peer K,' the CD, simple books and child-friendly activities to enhance their classroom studies," said Topolosky.

A Kick-off Parent Text Study evening was held in November with a display of the mishna by Ben Azzai, "Do not be scornful of anyone..." "We translated this to mean that 'Everything matters, everything counts,' for the children," she said. "It was quite impressive as each classroom chose a topic and learned why it had value in our world. Elaborate tables were made reflecting their learning."

"We have learned about all of the selective Mishniot in our teacher text studies during the past two years and continue to grow Jewishly in our knowledge," said Topolosky. "As the program is designed, each teacher uses the sayings as they fit into their natural curriculum. They are woven into discussions about science, social studies, art, holidays and socialization as the children learn about a multitude of things.

"In this way, children learn that important Jewish people, who lived hundreds of years ago, also cared about our world and our moral behavior. If we can continue to walk in their footsteps, we will grow up making the world a better place to live for our next generation and ourselves," she said.

To learn more about this program, please contact Marsha Polster, Ethical Start coordinator, at (614) 231-2731.