JEWISH LEARNING AND LIVING

Engaging Families and Children

The JECEI model is about whole school change. By combining Reggio Emilia principles, best ECE practices and Jewish values with intelligently-designed family outreach strategies, our aim has been to transform early childhood centers into sustainable centers of excellence that deepen the involvement of families in Jewish living and learning. We accomplished this by encouraging the families and staff of the center commit to a set of evolving obligations and roles. The approach includes emphasizing the importance of serious Jewish inquiry and dialogue on the part of the entire family and having families and staff study together. Our families then become partners in shaping what happens in the classroom.