Nursery School News

Tu Bishvat literally means the fifteenth day of the month of Shevat and usually falls in January or February. It may be winter for us, but it is the end of the rainy season in Israel and the time when sap has started rising in the trees. In the Nursery School we celebrate Tu B’Shevat as the “birthday of the trees.”

This year we transformed the Youth Lounge into a “Tu Bishvat Expo.” Children’s natural sense of amazement, wonder and joy of discovery was evident as they entered the room and began to explore the variety of activities that awaited them. All activities focused on or used materials directly connected to the earth and trees and children independently explored and self-selected what they wanted to engage in.

Soil was the basis for a number of activities, as they scooped, patted and poured from one vessel to another. There were no limits to the sensory experiences (nor to the mess!). Children used leaves, greenery, pine cones and flowers on overhead projectors and light tables to experiment with light and shadows. They used a variety of wooden loose parts to build on a mirrored base and built structures with large wooden blocks. Matching the picture of a fresh fruit to the dried fruit needed a lot of “concentration” and focus as the cards were turned over. Sun butter was smeared on pinecones to create bird feeders and parsley seeds were planted in small peat pots with the hope they’ll be ready for Pesach.

A birthday celebration must have special treats and this one had a few very colorful ones. Orange dried apricots and mangos, green dried kiwi, brown dates and raisins and yellow dried apples.

Tu Bishvat is an important holiday for today’s children. As our awareness of the environment becomes more essential to the future of the human race, Tu Bishvat takes on more of a global importance. It is not just about spring, trees, and rebirth in Israel; it is about respecting, appreciating and taking care of nature. Any activities we can do to foster these values transmit the true meaning of Tu B’Shevat to our children. Celebrating Tu Bishvat as a school has given the children a deep sense of the “Kedusha (sacredness”) of trees. We believe that if the trees could talk we are certain this would be exactly the kind of celebration they would request.

“Imagine if trees gave free wifi. We’d all be planting like crazy, It’s a pity they only give us the oxygen we breathe.”

Ronnie Becher, Director Beth El Nursery School