If you have been to the JCC Denver (the J) on a Friday morning, you have likely heard the uplifting and hypnotic sounds of the tune, “Bim Bam,” streaming out of the social hall. Grandparents, parents, and little ones from the JCC Early Learning School (ELS) sing, dance, and shake egg-shaped maracas in an intergenerational cacophony of Shabbos joy. This is one of the keystone experiences of the JCC Early Learning School.  

In addition to Shabbat rituals, the ELS utilizes constructivist thought as well as the sheva (seven in Hebrew) lenses to frame teaching practices. The ELS connects Jewish values to classroom experience thanks to a dedicated and passionate teacher team. Supported by a full time Judaics educator, Stephanie Leen, students are encouraged to explore Jewish holidays, identity, and tikkun olam (repairing the world in Hebrew) through song, food, process art, color, and digital projection. Stephanie also offers regular teacher trainings to empower the ELS educators to bring Jewish ideas into the classroom every day of the week, not just on Shabbat.  

Coaching topics for ELS educators varies from Judaics to supporting student’s language development with American Sign Language (ASL) to employing the outdoor garden space in a purposeful way. The Director of ELS, Paula Voss, adds that this “strategy and intentionality are what distinguish the JCC ELS from other schools in the area. Our teachers are constantly learning, so children are best supported to grow.” Another common professional development training includes how our educators can differentiate instruction to accommodate children of all ages. This equips teachers with mixed-age classrooms (where three and four-year-olds are integrated). Mixed-aged classrooms allow for both individual progress as well as diverse interactions, known to spark more community, learning, and comradery.  

Further, community is ignited within each classroom and therefore, across the entire school. Abby Hoese, the ELS Assistant Director of Education, shares how “each class has its own practices which form a little community. Even though there are routines, we train our teachers to be responsive to children’s interests and provocations. Then, teachers can facilitate exploration at an age-appropriate level.” Last year, some provocations included the postal system, wheels, and Clyfford Stills paintings.  

The J believes in your child’s education and growth through investing in our educators, facilitating play-based and differentiated learning, and putting your child’s interests at the forefront. We can’t wait to see what provocations are investigated this school year!