Nursery School at Temple Israel Center Launches Programs for Children and Parents

The Temple Israel Center Nursery School in White Plains launched three new programs on Oct. 10: Toddler & Me, Bim Bam, and Babies and Bagels. Each program for young children offers a variety of activities for babies and toddlers to help them develop their full potential in fun and safe Jewish settings. The events also provide support for struggling adults who may feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of parenthood.

Through May 2019, Toddler & Me will provide an introduction to a classroom setting for toddlers, ages 10 to 24 months. Guided by a skilled teacher, each child will participate in art, music, and learn about Jewish holiday experiences; parents, grandparents, and caregivers are welcome to join.

Bim Bam is a pre-Shabbat class for all children ages 3 and under. Running also through May 2019, a typical day consists of singing Hebrew and Shabbat-related songs, hearing stories, and making friends. At the end of each class, the children and parents say Shabbat blessings, complete with candle lighting, Kiddush (the blessing over grape juice), and hamotzi (the blessing for challah).

Babies & Bagels is the perfect place for parents of newborns to connect with each other. Once a month, members and non-members can bring their children and enjoy coffee and bagels while listening to a speaker discuss different topics, such as sleep issues, nutrition, separation, relationships, and more. Planned for Tuesdays or Thursdays, the first event happened on Oct. 23 and will continue throughout the school year. The best part? It’s completely free.

“We are committed to excellence in early childhood education. We really believe in active, hands-on learning, offering many materials and activities that will encourage the children to discover on their own. We see each child as competent, and we want to show the parents that their kids can be taught to be responsible, with supervision at first. Our programs teach them to be independent and problem solvers in an age-appropriate way,” said Patty Goldstick, director of the Nursery School.

Registration is now open for these programs. More information can be found on the Temple Israel Center’s Website.