Early Childhood

The book “Jewish Everyday” by Maxine Segal Handelman helps guide our strong Judaic curriculum. This resource helps the teachers in taking a more general theme and finding ways to make the theme have a strong Judaic aspect. Providing a strong Jewish foundation is the key to the success of the Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center.

“Jewish Everyday” concentrates not only on the holidays but also on values that apply to everyone regardless of their religion. Themes such as taking care of the elderly, giving Tzedakah, helping others, kindness to animals, taking care of the earth, visiting the sick are a few of the many different values that are incorporated into the daily themes.

At the Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center Shabbat and Havdallah play an important role in our program. Through the curriculum we celebrate and learn about the importance of Shabbat in our lives. It is through the traditional blessings and songs that the children here understand the importance of Shabbat. In addition, we have on staff a Judaic Coordinator that works with small groups to reinforce all of our themes.