Every so often, I walk through my synagogue’s outstanding Early Childhood Center to see the exciting projects underway as the seasons change and the Holiday cycle rolls on. Right now, in honor of Tu B’Shvat, trees are branching out on walls and bulletin boards. I had the pleasure of watching four and five year olds putting the finishing touches on “palm” trees – not the kind that wave in the tropics, but “palm” as in press your fingers and palms into paint and stamp out original tree designs on large sheets of paper. The young students I observed thoroughly enjoyed creating their tree shapes and were proud to show off their artwork.Their finished works are being displayed on a bulletin board around a sign proclaiming, “We [heart] Trees!”Among the students lively and thoughtful comments:”Because trees help us breathe”“You can eat apples and climb on their branches.”“You can also play king of the forest.”“You can make delicate books out of them.”The students observed that from trees you can make a crib, a guitar, a see-saw, a tree-house. For Tu B’Shvat and year ‘round, as a way for students to interact with the natural environment, “palm” trees win hands down!
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