Jewish Learning Starts Early with ‘Ima and Me’
The Chabad of North Orlando held their last summer session of “Ima and Me,” a hands-on class for moms with babies and toddlers that combines nondenominational Jewish learning with cutting edge educational practices, on Aug. 22.
Fall classes will start after the High Holidays, and the class continues to be offered at no charge at the Chabad of North Orlando in Lake Mary.
Class facilitator Chanshy Majesky says moms and little ones get a lot more from “Ima and Me” than from your everyday mom and tot class. “Our learning environment is unique because our tiny students are immersed in a Jewish atmosphere that simultaneously enriches their sensory development,” Majesky says. “They get more than just a mom and baby class; they leave with that extra special Jewish connection, along with developmental growth.”
Majesky, herself a mother of 8-month-old Batsheva and 2 ½-year-old Chaya, fits right into the classroom, with her two tots at her side. The class begins with circle time, where babies and toddlers work on their small motor connections, as they march, crawl and scoot to the music, placing chunky plastic coins into a pre-school sized tzedakah box. The toddlers play with bells, scarves and their little fingers to songs like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” sung in both English, and then once again, with Hebrew inserts.
Majesky says, “Our tots are learning the importance of tzedakah and mitzvot, while exercising their little pincer fingers. In addition, all songs used in class have a guitar accompaniment, which has been found to be the most soothing to this age group.”
Next, the babies play with blocks, while the moms have some adult time with one another. Parenting tips are shared, while Majesky directs the group of five by posing a common parenting issue. She states, “How do you handle the stress of getting ready and out of the house in the morning?”
Attendee Rebecca Kurta replies, “I try to pack a bag and lay out outfits the night before.”
Another mom states that the older her kids get, the more adaptations she needs to make. Majesky provides inspiration, encouraging her group to congratulate themselves each day for their positivity, as parenting can be a challenging task.
After a healthy snack, sensory stimulation continues as Majesky bravely brings out paints and markers for her young artists. She says, “We like to keep things exciting for the kids, one week they might have a tactile experience with a treasure hunt in a box filled with rice, another week we may have a sandbox, or shake bottles with different objects to encourage auditory development.” Participant Karin Barth, mother of 1½-year-old Kai states, “I come each Monday at 10:00 as part of our family routine. My son gets to be with other kids his age in a strong and healthy environment where he can discover his roots, even at this young age.” She adds, “Chanshy thinks of everything. The class is covered from materials to snack.”
The class ends with a joyful round of “If You’re Happy and You Know It.” Looking at the smiling little faces, moms and visitors cannot help but sing along and clap their hands to the soothing sounds of the guitar.
