Mazel 2014march 033014

Let’s Be Less Existential And More Like Mordecai And Esther

Existentialism, a term often used by humanities professors, or someone attempting to sound cosmopolitan, is a philosophical point of analysis that starts with the self. Where as traditional Eastern philosophy sees man as co-existing in unity with nature, and Judaism focuses on the individuals relationship with God, the existential thinkers who shaped a large part of modern social thought focus primarily on their personal needs, feelings and desires. After more than one hundred years of influence from philosophers such as Kierkegaard and Nietzsche we find that a large parentage of Western society has fallen into “despair,” a term existentialists use to describe a person’s mental state once he discovers that social statues and professional labels fail to bring any sense of identity or purpose.

This sense of purpose brings us to the story of Purim and it’s two heroes Mordecai and Esther. Esther, who married the king and became the queen of Persia could have relished in her title, which for many people would have been the ultimate achievement in life, and Mordecai might have simply bowed to Haman to avoid the trouble that was sure to follow. But neither of them took the easy way out, because their identity and sense of purpose was not tied to selfish motivations but was guided by their allegiance to all the Jewish people, and so, good was ultimately able to triumph over evil. Perhaps this is a good time to revisit those ancient modes of thought that have inspired and united Jews throughout centuries (intro by Gennady Favel).

Mazel Parent Page Executive Committee Mazel Parent Association

[email protected]

MAZEL DAY SCHOOL

March 2014 | 29 Adar I - 29 Adar II | ISSUE 25

In This Issue

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Family Fun: Weekend Picks 2

Humor: The Mazel Parent 3 Personality Quiz

Mazel Comic 3

Teacher Talk: Teacher Interview 4

Book Selection of the Month 5

Recipes: Desserts 6

Parent Talk: Parent Interview 7

Parenting: 12 Things Children Wish 9 Their Parents Knew

Morah’s Trade Secrets: 10 Mazel morah’s parenting tips

Parenting Book of the Month 11

Activity: Dress Up 12

Pictures:Purim 14

ParentsPage

Incidentally or not, in the spirit of Purim, there are a number of circus performances running at the time or scheduled to run soon. Here is a roundup of March-April shows with descriptions taken from www.mommypoppins.com.

Cirque du Soleil: Amaluna • Citi Field, 126-01 Roosevelt Avenue near 126th Street, Queens

• Thursday, March 20-Sunday, May 18, $50-$145

“Cirque du Soleil’s over-the-top shows always deliver spectacular visuals, amazing circus skills and grand pretensions. Love them or hate them, there’s nothing quite like them. In addition to being directed by 2013 Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus, Amaluna features an overwhelmingly female cast and a plot inspired by Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Goddess Prospera is overseeing a coming-of-age ceremony for her daughter on their island nation. But when young men suddenly arrive, their presence sets off an epic power struggle and love story. Sound highfalutin? Don’t worry, the plot is most likely incomprehensible anyway. Cirque is all about style, not story.”

UniverSoul Circus• Aviator Sports at Floyd Bennet Field, Thursday, April

10-Sunday, April 20, $16-$48, free for children under 1

• (shows in the Bronx March 20-30, in Queens May 1 – May 11)

• www.universoulcircus.com

“Although UniverSoul was originally founded to showcase the talents of African-American performers, this year’s edition features acts from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. The Zhukau Acrobatic Troupe is from Belarus, straps aerialist Jean-Claude Belmat is from Paris and there’s a group of Caribbean Dancers. That said, there’s a lot of American talent on display too, like ringmaster sidekick Zeke, and the Soul Circus Divas and their elephants. It’s also the only circus we know of that features a live hip-hop DJ, break-dancing clowns and such an enthusiastic audience”

Bello Mania • The New Victory Theater, 209 West 42nd Street between

Seventh and Eighth Avenues

• April 4-April 20, $14-$38

“Equal parts comedic circus spectacle and family memoir,

it’s the perfect showcase for former Ringling Bros./Big Apple Circus clown/acrobat Bello Nock, who was born to a circus family. The production features new schtick, recreations of some of his ancestors’ greatest hits and appearances by his daughter, who’s continuing in the family show business. The highlight: When Bello climbs all the way to the New Vic ceiling on a swaying poll right over the audiences’ heads. “

Macy’s Flower show: The Secret Garden• Sunday, March 23-Sunday, April 6, FREE

The annual spectacular installation of flowers draws crowds each time, and for a good reason. The blossoms are creatively arranged to showcase a specific theme: in 2012, it was all about Brazilian blooms, in 2013 the theme was Indian gardens. For 2014, Macy’s looks to England for inspiration for its Secret Garden display. Enjoy this beautiful (and free) show, and keep in mind that they always host a variety of free events in conjunction with the Flower Show

Day Trip Idea: Hudson River Museum Planetarium• 511 Warburton Ave, Yonkers; $4 (adults), $2 (ages 3-18) +

museum admission

• www.hrm.org

Here is a budget-friendly idea for a day trip: visit the off-the-beaten track Hudson River Museum, with its newly renovated digital planetarium. Planetarium shows are on weekends at 12:30 pm, 2 pm and 3:30 pm, and are geared to different audiences, from younger school-age kids to more mature ones, exploring more complex scientific content. The 2 pm live demonstration is an interactive show on what the sky is like on that night. The rest of the museum is worth exploring too, as it features a historic 19th-centurey mansion, art galleries and spectacular views of the Hudson River. Although it’s not a children’s museum, it houses some kid-friendly attractions. The current featured exhibition is The Art of Video Games, which explores the 40-year evolution of video games as an artistic medium. The museum also offers family art workshops on the weekends - make sure to check their online calendar for more details.

WEEKEND PICKS

Family Fun By Elina Rokhkind

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By Gennady Favel

For some time now, popular magazines have been creating personality quizzes to let readers profile themselves and see how they stack up against each other. So we thought, why not use the knowledge gained in our freshman year Introduction to Psychology class and put together our own personality test. Pulitzer Prize committee, we hope you are reading this!

A) You are standing in line at Cherry Hill waiting to pay for you products (kosher we are sure) when an elderly Russian lady pretends not to notice you and cuts in line. You...

1) let it slide, and congratulate yourself on the mature person you’ve become.

2) take a photo of the woman, then upload it to facebook.

3) cut back in front in of her screaming that this is not Russia while trying to solicit moral support from the other shoppers.

B) While at the park you witness a kid grab away a toy your child has been playing with. Your reaction is to...

1) think to yourself, “kids will be kids.”

2) call your child over, give them a large rock and say, “go take care of it.”

3) take the large rock and throw it at the other kid’s parent.

C) When coming to pick up your child from Mazel you notice that he or she has a band aid on their hand. Your reaction is...

1) to thank the teacher for being able to handle the situation.

2) to thank the teacher for being able to handle the situation, then write a long email to the principle describing how terribly the teacher handled the situation.

3) to begin looking for a new school where according to you, the violence is at least less than on a prison yard.

D) One day your child comes home from school and proclaims that he wants to become a professional basketball player, so, you...

1) go to the park with him and let him sit on your shoulders so he can practice his dunk.

2) explain to him, that as a Jew he has a greater chance of being the messiah than being a professional basketball player.

3) symbolically cast him out of the family and inform him that he better come up with a more medically sounding profession if he expects to be welcomed back.

E) Your nanny asks for a one week advance in salary so she can visit the dentist about a tooth ache. Your reaction is to...

1) give her the money and tell her that she can pay you back whenever she is comfortable.

2) give her the money, then charge her the customary 15% interest rate until it is fully paid back.

3) tell her to stop eating so much sweets, then walk away without giving a dime.

Results

If you got mostly:

1s. Congratulations! you are a mature, caring human being. Give yourself a pat on the back.

2s. You are passive aggressive. Perhaps you mean to do right but your evil inclinations get the best of you.

3s. You are a terrible person! Please seek the services of the school rabbi immediately.

THE MAZEL PARENT PERSONALITY QUIZ

Humor

MAZEL COMIC:

By Victoria Gershkovich

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Interview with Frumie Drizin

In this issue of the newsletter we are turning the spotlight on Morah Frumie Drizin. Morah Frumie is a Pre-Nursery 1 teacher and anyone who was lucky to have their child attend her class knows what an amazing teacher and person she is. Her sweet personality, loving and caring disposition warms the hearts of her little students and their parents alike. She instills in our kids the love for learning and compassion towards each other and the surrounding world.

Frumie was born and raised in Sydney, Austra-lia. She has a teaching degree from Ohel Cha-na Teachers College in Melbourne, Australia. After college she moved to Tzefat, Israel where she studied at the Bais Chana Seminary, after which she moved to the USA and went straight into teaching. After teaching Early Childhood Education for three years in Greenwich , CT, she married her husband, Zalmen Drizin and they settled here in Brooklyn, NY. Frumie has been teaching for 9 years, of which the last 3 years have been at Mazel. Aside from caring for our little kids, Frumie is a mom of six children of her own.

Why did you choose the teaching profession? I wanted to be a teacher since I was a young girl. I think it’s in my blood. My mother has been a preschool teacher for over twenty years!! I was organizing and directing day camps and kids Sunday programs for children in cities across Australia since I was 16 years old.

I love children and I feel that the early years of a child are crucial to their development. They are like sponges and absorb everything they see. Just like a tree whose roots are strong and deeply rooted, is given water and nurtured in its early stages of growth, can withstand the strongest winds and storms years later, so too a child who is given a proper education, love and nurture when young, will weather the “storms” and succeed later in life.

What do you love most about teaching in general?The most satisfying feeling when teaching is when I see the twinkle in a child’s eye, or I see a smile or hear a gig-gle of satisfaction that he / she grasped the topic we are learning. When I walk into preschool in the morning and my children/students come running into my arms for a good morning hug that definitely gives me a boost to start the day with a smile! :)

How did you first find out about Mazel Day School and what motivated you to work here? And In your opinion, what makes Mazel Day School different from other daycares/schools? My family has known the Okonovs for many years and when I was looking to go back to teaching after taking two years maternity leave, I was looking to work in a preschool that has the same beliefs and goals that I believe are needed to help children succeed in school.

Mazel preschool is very professional, yet everybody feels at home. That is a very special blend. The school arranges workshops and meetings with professionals in our field for us as teachers to ensure that we are utilizing every possible technique to capitalize on our students’ success. Mazel preschool is like a family. All of us teachers know every child by name whether that child is in our class or not. The classes are also very small which ensures each child is given personal attention!

By Kate I lyaguyevTEACHER INTERVIEW

Teacher Talk

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By Kate I lyaguyev

Teacher TalkTEACHER INTERVIEW

What is your favorite activity in the classroom? Circle time (learning time)

What were some of the activities/projects you were doing with kids for Purim? We told the story of Purim using puppets and dress up clothing in our classroom. Each child decorated the Purim characters with different art materials to take home so they can retell the story. We decorated a palace as a backdrop for the Purim puppets. We baked Hamantashen (triangular Purim cookies) with our class. We took out musical instruments and sang Purim songs. We danced to Purim music. We made our own graggers. We will be having a grand masquerade with our students this Friday.

Can you share any tips for Purim fun with kids? And can you share any tips on involving kids in Purim preparations/celebration? At home, with my own children, I take out our ‘costume box’ two weeks before Purim to get everybody into the Purim spirit. Everybody tried on costumes from previous years and had a blast acting out different characters. I videotaped each of my children performing in their costumes and we then spent time watching everyone’s performances!

Although I seldom take my children shopping with me, before Purim I do take them to a costume store so they can chose their own costumes (and get into the Purim spirit).

We baked ‘Hamantashen” together. Each child chose their own filling and rolled and shaped the dough on their own. My children also put together “mishloach Monos” bags to give out their friends and teachers in school.

What is your favorite Purim tradition at home? We host a special Purim Dinner for all our family. My siblings, my husband’s siblings and their families all come to our home to eat with us and get together. This makes it a special family bonding time as all the young cousins get to see everyone’s costumes and spend time together.

Book Selection of the Month by Irene Gabo

The Queen Who Saved Her People Paperback by Tilda Balsley

Biblical story of Esther told through a humorous rhyme, that can be easily enjoyed from toddlers to middle schoolers.

The illustrations are lovely and colorful and the rhymes are bitingly clever. This tale will be enjoyed by both the children and adult, especially when Haman’s bad deeds are revealed.

The text has five colors, and this color-coding will also make it easier for an adult to change intonations when reading aloud to children. Some of the dialogue is set off in bubbles and the rest is just part of the text. Vibrant illustrations add to the understanding of the printed text.

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DESSERTS By Rachel Calipha

Hamantaschen

(Recommended by Martha Stewart)

INGREDIENTS::• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar• 2 teaspoons grated orange zest• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract• 3 large eggs• 4 cups all-purpose flour, sifted• 4 teaspoons baking powder• 1/2 teaspoon salt• 1 cup poppy seeds• 1/2 cup milk• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons honey• 1/4 cup golden raisins• 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest* You can substitute apricot preserves for the poppy-seed filling.

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1: In the bowl of a heavy-duty mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar on medium speed until light in color and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add orange zest, orange juice, vanilla extract, and 2 eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl when necessary.

STEP 2: Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add to butter mixture until just combined. Divide dough into thirds. Wrap tightly in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

STEP 3: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Remove one-third of the dough from the refrigerator at a time. On a liberally floured surface, roll dough to a 1/8-inch thickness. With a 3-inch fluted round cutter, cut out as many circles as possible, and place on a prepared baking pan. Chill until firm, about 30 minutes.

STEP 4: Meanwhile make the poppy-seed filling: Grind poppy seeds in a food processor. Place seeds in a medium saucepan. Add milk and honey. Cook over a medium-low heat until thickened, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Add raisins and lemon zest. Remove from heat. Cool completely before using.

STEP 5:Remove chilled circles from refrigerator. Place each filling into a medium pastry bag fitted with a coupler. Pipe 2 teaspoons of filling into the center of each circle. Whisk together remaining egg with 1 teaspoon of water. Brush edges with egg wash. Fold in sides to form a triangle. Pinch dough to enclose the filling.

STEP 6Bake the cookies in the center rack of the oven until golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool cookies on baking sheets for 5 minutes; then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Recipes

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Interview with Anna Ashurov

Dear Mazel parents, please meet Anna Ashurov. Many of you may have the pleasure of knowing Anna, as she has been part of Mazel family for a few years now (and sits on the board of directors) and I am the lucky one to know her since the day she was born (we are cousins). Anna is an inspiring role model to me and many others! She is smart, outgoing, kind, loving and caring! Despite her demanding and very successful career, she finds the time for family, relatives and friends. And most importantly she is an amazing mom! Read on to get to know Anna.

Anna was born in Nalchik, Russia and

immigrated to United States in 1999. She holds a BBA in Finance and Investments from Macaulay Honors College (Bernard M. Baruch) and JD from Brooklyn Law School. She is currently a Vice President in the Debt Underwriting Group/Leverage Finance at Goldman, Sachs and Co. Her husband Anatoly is an IT professional and they have 3 children wonderful children: Eliana (6 / 1st grade), Cayla 3 (Pre-Nursery) and Gregory (2 months, future Mazel Pre-Nursery class of 2016).

What do you like most about your job? I love my job because it’s very challenging and keeps me exposed to all kinds of individuals in different fields. It is also very rewarding, as I help corporations source capital to acquire companies, and help implement various programs that maximize efficiency and in some cases, allow companies’ survive.

What is most challenging about your job? Hours. Not only I work really long hours, but my schedule is very unpredictable, as it strictly depends on the transactions I work on and whether the client needs to get something done immediately as a result of an auction deadline or other reasons.

How did you first learn about Mazel? I learned about Mazel through a friend who heard great things about it. I was originally hesitant as we are not observant, and was concerned about my child not fitting in. When I came to school and met Chani, I immediately fell in love with the school, its teachers and principal and really wanted Eliana to attend. Unfortunately, it was in the middle of the school year and there were no immediate spots. I harassed Chani for a few months before luckily a spot opened up due to a child moving, and we started our journey at Mazel.

Why did you decide to send your child(ren) to Mazel Day School? Everything about Mazel represents what I care for in my child’s educational experience. Small classes, caring teachers, Jewish and Russian identity, challenging curriculum and great friends and families.

What do you like most about Mazel Day School?

PARENT INTERVIEW

Parent TalkBy Kate I lyaguyev

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We love everything about the school, but most importantly all the friends that my kids made over time. Eliana’s been friends with her classmates since she was 2.5 and these friendships are amazing – they see each other every day, have play dates and birthday parties. What’s even more amazing – even parents are very friendly with each other! Our Mazel community is extraordinary.

What do you expect from Mazel education? I am one of those tiger moms, who pushed her first child to read at the age of 3. The one thing that I learned from Mazel teachers over time is to let your child learn at their own pace, as well as learn through play. What I mostly expect from Mazel education is to help my kids be self-sufficient, respectful children, that care about others and have a broad range of skills and imagination.

What is your favorite activity with your child(ren)? We love to read and draw. We are now at a point where Eliana reads to her younger sister, which warms my heart. We love to draw with different mediums – crayons, pencils, paint – although we don’t like cleaning up!

What character traits of your child(ren) always make you smile? Eliana is a very studious girl and is very concentrated when she’s doing her school work – I always love hearing her hum quietly when she is doing her math homework or works on some science experiment.

Cayla is a little rascal – everything about her personality makes me smile. She’s a constant crowd pleaser!

Gregory is two months and just learned to suck on his fist – makes me smile every time I see him do that!

Describe one occasion when your kids really made you proud? I felt very proud when my girls came to visit me in the hospital when Gregory was born. Although they are little girls themselves, they acted as if they were adults, big sisters as they call themselves, and asked if I need any help. They immediately matured in my eyes.

Can you share how your family prepares for Purim? What are your kids going to be dressed as for Purim this year? Please share Purim traditions that are

unique to your family/cultural background. Every year my family makes traditional sweets – we make nuts and sunflower seeds with honey, bake bulochki with jam, as well as just plain cookie dough with honey. Our family comes from North Caucasus and I think sweets with honey are specific to our community. We attend our annual Mazel Masquerade. This year Eliana will dress up in a traditional Japanese costume and Cayla will be a character from Strawberry Shortcake, because she really likes strawberries.

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Dear Mom and Dad,

1. I need to know for sure that you love me. When you tell me you love me, I feel secure. When you show me you love me, I grow confident.

I feel loved when you give me your attention. When I come home from school and I see you don’t answer the phone because you’re spending time with me, I feel special. I see I’m more important to you than other people and other things.

When you tell me, “I made your favorite cookies,” “I made the dinner you like,” “I saw this sweater in the store, and it’s your favorite color, so I bought it for you,” I know I’m loved and feel I’m worth loving. It gives me more confidence to face the world.

2. You are the foundation of my life. I want to please you and make you proud. Please give me positive feedback often. I feel good when I know you like what I’m doing.

3. I love it when you make time for us to spend together. We can go out for pizza once a month, or you can cuddle with me in my bed for a few minutes each night (when appropriate). Even though I know you also have to take care of my brothers and sisters, there are so many ways you can make me feel special.

4. I need you to listen to me. School, homework and social interactions can be so stressful for me that I feel the world is blowing up. When I come home, please listen to me in an open, nonjudgmental way. If the teacher was unfair, I don’t need you to condemn him (that would be damaging). I need you to empathize with me and support me.

If I was at fault, please don’t blame me. I feel bad enough already. Help me learn by asking, “What do you think you could have done better?” and “How do you think you can fix things now?”

5. When you yell at me, my world falls apart. I feel scared. My only thought is, “I want this to stop.” So I can’t learn anything.

6. I watch how you treat each other. When the two of you argue, I worry that you might separate or something scary might happen.

When you respect each other, I learn to respect you. When I see you resolving conflict in a friendly and considerate way, I learn to be altruistic and considerate. I learn that it’s possible to solve conflict without anger.

7. Don’t confuse me. Am I a treasure or a burden? Sometimes you say you love me, and sometimes you say I drive you crazy. Then I wonder if you are happy I was born . . .

8. Be patient with me. Of course I’m imperfect! I recently came into the world with a good share of bad middot, character traits. I need to learn, grow and overcome the negative. Please help me by stressing the good in me. Show me, in a loving way, how I’m supposed to act. Please be patient and remain the adult in this relationship.

Please remember how difficult it is to change. Help me work on one thing at a time. I can’t change all my faults at once.

And if I’m rebelling, please investigate; something might be bothering me.

9. Please never put me down or call me names. When you do, I believe you! If you call me a brat, rude, chutzpadik, stupid . . . I might grow up to fit exactly that description.

10. Make me feel safe enough to make mistakes. Please don’t get upset when I spill/break something by accident. Being clumsy is not a sin. That way, I won’t grow to be a perfectionist, afraid make a false move.

We all make mistakes. Smart people learn from their mistakes and try not to repeat them.

11. I need consistency in my world. When you always enforce the same rules, life is more predictable. I feel safer knowing there is an adult taking care of me.

12. You can only demand from me what you do yourself. I don’t learn from lectures, and punishment leaves me resentful. I’m constantly observing you and absorbing from you, so if you show me love and kindness, I’ll want to be like you. Then, if I do something wrong, you can talk to me about it and explain the right way to do things.

I might not always do as you say, but most likely I’ll say as you say and I’ll do as you do.

Love, Your child

This article is based on: Likkutei Sichot, vol. 27, pg. 158; Rambam, Hilchot Deot, ch. 2-6; Igrot Kodesh of the Rebbe Rayatz, vol. 4, pg. 302-3; Klalei Hachinuch V’hahadrachah; and Pirkei Avot 4:12.

By Nomi Freeman(from chabad.org)12 THINGS CHILDREN WISH THEIR PARENTS KNEW

Parenting

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By Morah Inna Izman &

Morah Leah Khaimov

Have you ever found yourself wondering: “How do those Mazel teachers do it”? We are excited to bring you a new column written each month by a different team of our very own school teachers who will be sharing their insights, tips and “trade secrets” to help you incorporate that special Mazel environment in your own home. This month’s “Morah’s Parenting Tips” was written by Morah Inna Izman (PreK 2), in collaboration with Morah Leah Khaimov (Nursery 2). If you have a particular parenting-related question that you would like the Morahs to address, please email us as [email protected].

A FREE GIFT

Just think about what kind of a gift you can freely give to your child from the day you bring them home from the hospital until the time they leave the nest. Yes, until the time they leave the nest… Reading to your child is a loving and personal gift. It is the easiest and most effective way to turn children into lifelong readers.

A child who loves books will want to learn to read them. To spark this desire, there are some useful tips for you

to consider. Feel free to make use of those that work well for you and your children, and add your own ideas.

Remember that reading to your children is one of the best bonding times when you can give your full attention to spending it with your children at least for 15 minutes a day, relaxing and really getting into the story and enjoying it together. It is important to build a strong habit of reading regularly in order to teach our children to love books. This will help them develop their imagination, to be creative, it will expand their vocabulary, and as they get older they will do better in school as a result. Reading books is also a good way to teach them how to spell and be creative in writing. Children that grow up loving books will succeed in school and achieve their goals in life.

Where? Everywhere. In addition to the usual reading places — a child’s bed, a coach — consider less traditional ones. Outside under a shady tree, a

hammock, at a nearby park, or Barnes and Nobles cozy place between book shelves. Keep a book in the glove compartment of your car for long road trips or traffic delays. Use your imagination. Any place is a place for reading possibilities.

When? Reading aloud can help calm a fussing baby or entertain a quiet one; it can do wonders for you, too. It will give you long moments to treasure. Continue reading aloud even after your children learns to read. Even many “spiky” teenagers like to hear old favorites. Take advantage of times when the family is together.

Be aware of your children’s reactions. If they are restless, they may be trying to tell you that they are at the limit of their attention span. Do

what is best for them. Stop reading, acknowledge your children’s physical state and do something else.

What? Read whatever is at hand. Books, magazines, road signs, menus, cereal boxes, etc. Rhymes and songs are great for reading because they contain the basic rhythms of language. Young children love to end favorite verses. Picture books for young children with stories and art work that is clear and simple to understand are best. For more fun, be creative with the stories. This is exactly what we do in our classrooms. Sometimes we use our children’s names for names

MAZEL MORAH’S PARENTING TIPS

Morah’s Trade Secrets

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By Morah Inna Izman &

Morah Leah KhaimovMAZEL MORAH’S PARENTING TIPS

Morah’s Trade Secrets

of characters in the story. Make up your own stories using only the pictures of the book. Take your kid to a museum and make up your own stories looking at the art work. Be flexible. If a child doesn’t seem to like the book you are reading, don’t take it personally; drop the book and try another one. If you absolutely can’t find a book that would interest your child, make one! Print pictures from the last family trip or pictures of your child’s growing stages and make it into a book. You can write a story together!

How? It is important to preview the book yourself. You, yourself, should find enjoyment in the book. We strongly suggest reading a book through so you can decide if it is appropriate for your child, and decide what kind message this book contains. The key is to

read with your children, not to your children. As a reader, you can decide where to pause for emphasis, to elicit questions or predictions. Get them involved in following along; ask questions after every page to see if they really understand the book. Read with EXPRESSION, using different voices, tones, and even sound effects (ex: knock at the door). Allow time for children to study the pictures, and talk about what they see. Encourage predictions, share ideas. Allow time for a child to settle into a story and allow time to talk about the story.

Most important: HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE!

Parenting Book of the Month By Chani Okonov

A Mind at a Time: America’s Top Learning Expert Shows How Every Child Can Succeed by Mel Levine M.D.

Mel Levine, M.D., is professor of pediatrics at the University of North Carolina Medical School and director of its Clinical Center for the Study of Development and Learning. He is the founder and cochairman of All Kinds of Minds, a nonprofit institute for the understanding of differences in learning, and the author of two previous national best-selling books, A Mind at a Time and The Myth of Laziness.

“Different minds learn differently,” writes Dr. Mel Levine, one of the best-known learning experts and pediatricians in America today. In his #1 New York Times bestseller A Mind at a Time, Dr. Levine shows parents and those who care for children how to identify these individual learning patterns, explaining how they can strengthen a child’s abilities and either bypass or help overcome the child’s weaknesses, producing positive results instead of repeated frustration and failure.

Consistent progress can result when we understand that not every child can do equally well in every type of learning and begin to pay more attention to individual learning patterns -- and individual minds -- so that we can maximize children’s success and gratification in life. In A Mind at a Time Dr. Levine shows us how.

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By Irene Gabo

Although Purim has passed, we wanted to share with you some exciting ideas for DIY costumes. Invite your child to help with making his or her costume. Spending time creating these costumes together may end up being just as much fun as the dressup party. Be sure to take lots of pictures!

Here are some inexpensive, homemade Purim costume ideas that will cost little money and show lots of imagination.

Queen Esther There is nothing as exciting as spending a day as the beautiful Queen Esther. A white, pink or colored dress with a petticoat, a crown and some jewelry from the dollar store are sure to complete the essential Queen Esther look!

Soda Can Find an inexpensive plastic barrel and cut a hole in the bottom. Paint the entire barrel the colors and design of your favorite brand of soda in a can. With holes for arms and your head, a simple barrel can transform your child into a soda can.

Clown You can quickly create a great clown with sweat clothes that are a bit too large, decorated with fabric paint or markers. Sew on some pompoms, use an inexpensive wig with a large and colorful hat, and you could even stuff the clothing with tissue.

Hippie You can become a hippie from the 1960s with a tie-dyed shirt and faded jeans with holes in the knees. Combine this with a headband, a ponytail wig, and a jacket or vest covered in fringe, and you will have the most authentic-looking hippie costume of all time.

Doctor or Dentist Put a large white shirt on your child as a doctor’s white coat. Have him wear a pager on the shirt pocket, and hang a toy stethoscope (from a toy doctor’s kit) around his neck. Put the rest of the doctor tools in a black bag.

Sunflower Dress your child in a green shirt and pants. For smaller children, especially those in colder climates, a one-piece pajama-type outfit with feet works well. For the flower part, start with a brown hat or cap. Cut flower petal shapes out of yellow felt and glue

them all around the hat. If you’d like, you can cut two large leaf shapes out of green felt and glue them at the back of each of the shirtsleeves. A little plastic watering can makes a cute pail to carry candy in.

Purim Costumes You Can Make out of a Cardboard Box

Start by cutting a hole in the box for your child’s head. Or, if the box is smaller, then you’ll attach straps to the edges of the box when the costume is completed (like suspenders) and fit them over your child’s shoulders. Also, cut armholes if you aren’t doing the suspender method. Then you’re ready to get started. All of these outfits fit perfectly over leggings and a long-sleeved shirt (or jacket).

Tzedakah (Charity) Box Cut holes in the box for the child’s arms and head. Wrap the entire box in silver wrapping paper. Write “Tzedakah” on the front in English or Hebrew with a Sharpie marker. Make “coins” out of gold paper and glue them on the front for extra emphasis.

Box of Cereal Does your child have a favorite cereal? Fruit Loops, Cheerios, Cocoa Puffs? Any box of cereal can be painted onto a cardboard box and turned into a costume.

Computer Monitor Spray-paint the box gray. After it dries, paint a white screen on the front of the monitor. Of course, you can have fun decorating the screen with your favorite website, or print a screen from your favorite website and glue it onto the box for a more realistic look.

Robot Spray-paint the box gray or silver. Then, after the paint dries, find a mish-mash of nuts and bolts and glue them to the box. You may also create attachments from aluminum foil, dryer vents, duct tape, or whatever you have lying around the house.

A Wrapped Gift Wrap the entire box in gift wrap (whatever kind you like the best) and stick a bow on your child’s head.

DRESS UP

Activity

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PURIM

Pictures

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Thank You

MAZEL DAY SCHOOL Quality Russian-Jewish Private School

2901 - 2915 Brighton 6th St Brooklyn, NY 11235

Phone: 718-368-4490

E-mail: [email protected]

We’re on the web! www.mazeldayschool.com

Thank You!

We acknowledge and thank the following organizations for their continuous support:

UJA Federation of New York

Gruss Life C.I.J.E. and the Fund for Jewish Education.

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