Ligdol v'Lifroach is partnering with the Benjamin Children's Library and Learning Center (BCL) in a new program to develop language and literacy skills for parents and children (aged 6mths - 3). The program is funded by the Jewish Federation of New York.
Our target population is primarily new immigrants from Ethiopia, the former USSR, English speaking countries as well as veteran Israelis, many with larger than average families. A percentage of the children come from households where parents are unable to provide the basics in their mother tongue and certainly not in a new language. 20 – 25 families will be recruited to the program.
The program includes the following components:
Story hour and creative play and craft activities - Children will be exposed to many different books and genres, which stress different kinds of storytelling. They will develop their vocabulary and learn new concepts through the stories i.e. colors, sizes, numbers, rhymes, etc.
Ongoing guidance will include how to read to children, where to read, how to involve their children in the story to make it more exciting.
Monthly parent sessions run by the staff of Mercaz Rakefet. The sessions are a combination of educational information and practical skills. Different developmental issues are presented, and parents learn how to make educational toys and games from accessible household or recycled objects e.g. matching or counting games.
Participating families will benefit from subscriptions to both the Benjamin Children's Library and Mercaz Rakefet's Toy Library to reinforce the importance of books and toys in developing children's language and literacy skills.
As a reward and incentive for participating in the program, each parent will accumulate points for attendance. If they attend 3 out of the 5 sessions a month, they will receive a book and game to build their home book library and toy collection and provide further enjoyment for family time at home.
If you are interested in learning more about this program contact Penina Farkas – penina@mercazrakefet.org or call 02-9920947.
