Engage, Educate & Elevate: Tips for Engaging Kids During the Pandemic
Are you parenting a preschooler while working from home…during a global pandemic?
The juggle is real. We are here to help!
Watch the engaging seminar about creating a positive learning environment during the pandemic presented by The Jewish Federation and early childhood education experts, Ora Cohen Rosenfeld and Miryam Buchler.
RESOURCES
Five Important Things to Consider When Choosing a Preschool By Sharon Sherry, Director of Jewish Education Initiatives, The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington
The Importance of Connection (Growing Minds)
Five Key Elements of Parent-child Connection (Growing Minds)
Navigating Screen Time (Growing Minds)
Social/Emotional Learning Book List (Growing Minds)
Toys that can Promote Emotional Regulation and Self-soothing (Growing Minds)
A Traffic Light for the Parents Working from Home (Growing Minds)
A Self-care Wheel for Parents (Growing Minds)
PJ Library® Jewish Values Guide (PJ Library)
Jewish Disability Inclusion, Acceptance & Awareness Month Resources (Federation)
Short Picture Stories to Help Young Children Manage Life Transitions and Everyday Challenges (Meredith Polsky)
Visual: Help your Family Communicate More Easily About Their Feelings (Gateways)
Shabbat Resources for Kids (Gateways)
Recommended Reading for Preschool Parents
List compiled by Ora Cohen Rosenfeld and Miryam Buchler for Federation’s Engage, Educate & Elevate program on creating a positive learning environment for preschool children during the pandemic and beyond.
No Bad Kids by Janet Lansbury: a collection of Janet’s most popular and widely read articles pertaining to common toddler behaviors and how respectful parenting practices can be applied to benefit both parents and children.
Mind in the Making by Ellen Galinsky: Galinsky brings the work of more than a hundred scientists into a form that parents everywhere can use, showing parents not only what children are capable of, but specifically how to develop those capabilities in their children from birth up until age eight.
Elevating Child Care by Janet Lansbury: Eschewing the quick-fix ‘tips and tricks’ of popular parenting culture, Janet’s insightful philosophy lays the foundation for a closer, more fulfilling parent/child relationship, and children who grow up to be authentic, confident, successful adults.
The Blessing of a Skinned Knee by Wendy Mogel, Ph. D.: The beloved bestseller that offers a practical, inspiring new roadmap for raising self-reliant, ethical, and compassionate children.
How To Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish: This bestselling classic by internationally acclaimed experts on communication between parents and children includes fresh insights and suggestions, as well as the author’s time-tested methods to solve common problems and build foundations for lasting relationships.
The Secrets of Happy Families by Bruce Feiler: New York Times bestselling author Bruce Feiler has drawn up a blueprint for modern families — a new approach to family dynamics, inspired by cutting-edge techniques gathered from experts in the disciplines of science, business, sports, and the military.
GREATER WASHINGTON PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS
Search below for a preschool program near you. Please note that this list is still in formation and subject to change.
WASHINGTON DC
Edlavitch DCJCC Preschool
NW Washington, DC
Address:
1529 16th St NW
Washington, DC 20036
Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: Rolling drop off and pick up times
Drop off: 8:00 AM, 8:20 AM, 8:40 AM, 9:00 AM
Pick up: 4:00 PM, 4:20 PM, 4:40 PM, 5:00 PM
Director: Lauren Eskovitz
Edlavitch Tyser Early Childhood Center at Washington Hebrew Congregation
NW Washington, DC
Address:
3935 Macomb Street NW
Washington, DC 20016
Ages: 2s, 3s
Hours: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Director: Kristin Zeldes
Gan HaYeled Preschool at Adas Israel Synagogue
NW Washington, DC
Address:
2850 Quebec St NW
Washington, DC 20008
Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: Full day and part day
Director: Noah Hichenberg
Gan Shalom
NE Washington, DC
Address:
212 East Capitol St NE
Washington, DC 20003
Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: Monday — Friday 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Director: Laura Vitiello
Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School of the Nation’s Capital
NW Washington, DC
Address:
4715 16th St NW
Washington, DC 20011
Ages: Pre-K
Hours: Monday — Thursday 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Friday 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Enrichment programs available on Tuesday until 4:30 PM. Aftercare program run by Wonders Monday-Friday (closes at 6:30 PM)
Director: Melissa Davis
Temple Sinai Nursery School
NW Washington, DC
Address:
3100 Military Rd NW
Washington, DC 20015
Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: Currently operating with a modular online program (30 minute sessions) for children ages two through five; no in-person programming is being offered. On-site programming is scheduled to resume in the fall with core morning program for Twos and Threes and an extended day for Pre-K.
Director: Ali Hurewitz
MARYLAND
Alef Bet Montessori School
North Bethesda, MD
Address:
6125 Tuckerman Lane
North Bethesda, MD 20852
Ages: Infant, Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Director: Ellie Lichtash
B’nai Israel Schilit Nursery School
Rockville, MD
Address:
6301 Montrose Road
Rockville, MD 20852
Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Director: Rachel Siegel
Bender Early Childhood Center
Rockville, MD
Address:
6125 Montrose Road
Rockville, MD 20852
Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: Monday — Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Director: Sarah Meytin
Berman Hebrew Academy Preschool
Rockville, MD
Address:
13300 Arctic Avenue
Rockville, MD 20853
Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM. After Care until 5:30 PM (non-COVID)
Director: Rebecca Gautieri
Beth El Preschool
Bethesda, MD
Address:
8215 Old Georgetown Road
Bethesda, MD 20814
Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: Core Program 9:15 AM -12:00 PM Monday – Friday
Lunch Bunch 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Monday – Friday
Enrichment 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM Monday -Thursday
Open for in person learning for the 2021-2022 school year
Directors: Ali Lackey Lauren Hirt
Beth Sholom Early Childhood Center
Potomac, MD
Address:
11825 Seven Locks Rd
Potomac, MD 20854
Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Director: Michelle Singer
Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School
Rockvillec, MD
Address:
1901 East Jefferson St
Rockville, MD 20852
Ages: Pre-K
Hours: 8:15 AM – 3:30 PM with aftercare until 6:00 PM
Director: Pamela Shrock
Address:
18401 Burtfield Dr
Olney, MD 20832
Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Director: Eve Margol
Gan Ami at Temple Beth Ami
Rockville, MD
Address:
14330 Travilah Road
Rockville, MD 20850
Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday
Director: Paula Sayag
Greenzaid Early Childhood Center
Potomac, MD
Address:
10621 South Glen Road
Potomac, MD 20854
Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Director: Jane Greenblatt
Ohr Kodesh Early Childhood Center
Chevy Chase, MD
Address:
8300 Meadowbrook Lane
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: M-F 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM; Close early on Friday during winter for Shabbat (1/2 hour before sunset)
Director: Joanie Smeltz
Address:
11810 Falls Road
Potomac, MD 20854
Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Director: Miryam Buchler
Shaare Torah Early Childhood Center
Gaithersburg, MD
Address:
1409 Main Street
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours:7:00 AM – 6:00 PM, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM, or 9:15 AM – 1:00 PM Monday-Friday
Director: Allison Colker
Sherman ECC at Har Shalom
Potomac, MD
Shomrai Preschool
Silver Spring, MD
Address:
813 University Blvd W
Silver Spring, MD 20901
Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Director: Sarah Dollman
Silver Spring Learning Center
Silver Spring, MD
Address:
1401 Arcola Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20902
Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Director: [email protected]
Simcha Educational Center
Gaithersburg, MD
Address:
15021 Dufief Mill Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Likely extend that for the summer and next year.
Director: Chana Raichik
Temple Emanuel Early Childhood Center
Kensington, MD
Address:
10101 Connecticut Avenue
Kensington, MD 20895
Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Year-round
Director: Melissa Williamson
Temple Shalom Early Learning Center
Chevy Chase, MD
Address:
8401 Grubb Road
Chevy Chase, MD 20902
Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Director: Lisa Heiser-Polin
The Gan Montessori
Silver Spring, MD
Address:
519 Lamberton Drive
Silver Spring, MD 20902
Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: 7:45 AM – 5:00 PM
Director: Chaya Wolvovsky
Tikvat Israel Early Childhood Center
Rockville, MD
Address:
2200 Baltimore Road
Rockville, MD 20851
Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Director: Sheri Brown
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Adat Reyim Preschool
Springfield, VA
Address:
6500 Westbury Oaks Court
Springfield, VA 22152
Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: 9:20 AM – 1:40 PM
Director: Therese Fournier
Agudas Achim Preschool
Alexandria, VA
Address:
2908 Valley Drive
Alexandria, VA 22302
Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Director: Jen Halpern
Beth Emeth Early Childhood Center (BEECC)
Herndon, VA
Address:
12523 Lawyers Rd
Herndon, VA 20171
Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: 9:15 AM – 1:15 PM. Before care and after care available
Director: Ora Cohen Rosenfeld
Congregation Etz Hayim Preschool
Arlington, VA
Address:
2920 Arlington Blvd
Arlington, VA 22204
Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Director: Maggie Heidema
Gan Israel Preschool
Fairfax, VA
Address:
2920 Arlington Blvd
Fairfax, VA 22031
Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Director: Raizel Deitsch
Gesher Jewish Day School
Fairfax, VA
Address:
4800 Mattie Moore Ct
Fairfax, VA 22030
Ages: Pre-K
Hours: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM (with before and aftercare) 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM (regular Preschool program)
Director: Aviva Walls
J-Care of Alexandria
Alexandria, VA
Address:
3830 Seminary Rd
Alexandria, VA 22304
Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Director: Dina Backer
Olam Tikvah Preschool (OTPS)
Fairfax, VA
Address:
3800 Glenbrook Rd
Fairfax, VA 22031
Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Director: Cindi Drake
Pozez JCC
Fairfax, VA
Address:
8900 Little River Turnpike
Fairfax, VA 22031
Ages: Infant, Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Director: Amy Vermillion
RUJEC
Leesburg, VA
Address:
19357 Evergreen Mills Road
Leesburg, VA 20175
Ages: Toddler, 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: Currently closed
Director: Allison Musa
Temple Rodef Shalom Early Childhood Center
Falls Church, VA
Address:
2100 Westmoreland St.
Falls Church, VA 22043
Ages: 2s, 3s, Pre-K
Hours: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM with early drop-off available
Director: Rene Shiohama
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington welcomes the participation of interfaith couples and families, and people of all abilities, backgrounds, gender identities, and sexual orientations. Building an inclusive community is a priority. If you or your family require special accommodations to participate in this virtual event, please contact us in advance at [email protected] or 301-230-7200 so every effort can be made to accommodate your needs.