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America's First Online K-12 Orthodox Jewish School with an Integrated Curriculum Since 5779
OUR EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
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NURTURING YOUR CHILD’S INTUITION
Listening to and trusting the “gut” feeling is an integral part of being in harmony with oneself, Hashem, and the world. Babies and children are born with strong intuition. They are naturally attuned to their needs and perceive their environment on subtle energy level.
We can help them preserve this precious gift from Hashem by using some of the following techniques:
– – Always telling them the truth. By lying to a child, we steal their intuitive feeling for what is true. Lies are hollow words. Children feel it and get confused, which weakens their connection to Hashem.
– Speaking in a quiet voice – avoiding yelling.
– Feeding children non-GMO foods. What we eat, affects our neshamot. Foods that are treated with respect to the laws of nature possess more vital energy that keeps our bodies in balance.
– Letting children connect with nature on the daily basis through playing outside, interacting with animals as well as gardening.
– Talking to children about their subtle feelings and sensations providing explanations.
– – Avoiding judgmental statements and comments. When children feel judged, they experience shame. A feeling of shame brings their neshama to lower vibrational state, which, in turn,temporarily disconnects them from the shechina that is upon all children, allowing forces of yatzer harah to enter their precious souls.
– Allowing students some time to “just be.” Give them time to be alone and learn to occupy themselves.
– Weaving prayer into everyday life situations. E.g., praying for help to find a lost object, praying for help to stop a younger brother from screaming, etc.
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ITA APPROACH TO WRITING AND READING
Historically and culturally, approach to writing and reading – coding and decoding information – varies.
In an experimental American culture, early reading and writing has become a fashion and a theorized criteria of success, while in Finland, which borrowed its educational model from the former Soviet Union and now boasts being #1 educational system in the world, reading and writing is introduced only at the age 7 – once a student enters first grade.
Traditionally, in a Jewish culture, a bar-mitzvah is partially marked by displaying a boy’s ability to read at the age of 13 – in front of a relatively large group of people, thus combining and putting emphasis on reading and oral presentation skills.
In a world reknowned Waldorf school system, a child is considered ready for reading once the following signs are present:
• Eruption of the six-year molars. Many physicians affirm that this is the more significant signal of birth of the etheric than loss of baby teeth. Children are losing teeth at younger ages, which may be more a sign of premature hardening due to societal influences than a signal of maturity for school.
• Loss of milk teeth.
• Lengthening of limbs in relation to head size. The child should be able to reach up over his head and touch his opposite ear without leaning or bending his head to the side. Ideally the elbow makes a 90-degree angle rather than the child leaning his head into the crook of the elbow.
• Facial features individualize; young child roundness fades.
• S-curve appears in the spine.
• Rib cage becomes visible as separate from the tummy region. The child grows taller and seems to “stretch” in height.
• Arch develops in the foot.
The child will also begin to show changes in gross- and fine-motor coordination and integration. The child has the ability to move with increasing coordination and intention. As Dr. Michaela Glöckler puts it, “Throw a ball in the air with one hand and catch it with two; stand on one leg and hop sideways, forward, and backward; walk on tip toe; string beads, finger knit; set the table, wash and dry dishes; dress and undress; tie shoes and button.” New forces of levity enter into movement. The child can skip more lightly and begin to jump rope.
Emphasis on harmonious spiritual, physical, and emotional development takes precedent over teaching head education. In his lectures, R. Steiner – an Austrian psychologist and philosopher, the father of Waldorf Education, spoke extensively on avoiding “head” education, which could lead to lack of body awareness, physiological and emotional imbalance later on in life.
At ITA, we leave the decision of writing and reading readiness up to the parents, with a suggested age between 7 and 9. Our curriculum is designed in a flexible manner to accommodate writing and reading readiness.
FOUNDATIONS OF HOMESCHOOLING
Fluidity within structure
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Because you live with your “students” and do not get as much time off as professional teachers do in a formal school setting, be ready to allow for much more flexibility. Do not scold yourself if you are not ready to teach when you are having an off-day. When that happens, take a day trip to botanical gardens if the weather allows or stay in bed or rest on the couch and let your children gather around you to read a book or recite poems or Tehilim. Ask them to pray to Hashem to give you energy. Ana Bekoach is an amazing prayer for this occasion.
Consistency
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Many homeschooling parents report that registering with an umbrella school provides them with an external motivation and power to be consistent in the daily study schedule.
Socializing with Others
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One of the negative cultural stereotypes crystalized in the question to a homeschooler from a traditional parent is almost always rhetorical, “But… how do your kids socialize?” Homeschooling does not have to be a lonely journey. At ITA we strive to provide a platform for parents to create homeschooling groups, go on trips together, and have collaborative educational meetups for parents.
Many homeschooling parents arrange play dates for their children, involve them in extra-curricular activities, socialize through social groups in synagogues, and take advantage of summer camps.
Look for a homeschooling group in your area based on your level of observance. Volunteer to become a group leader to organize your local homeschooling group.