Spy Cameras in Gan

A new trend in Israeli parenting involves equipping small children with spy cameras to catch a ganenet (kindergarten teacher) during the act of child abuse. In Makor Rishon's "Tzedek" supplement (January 16), Itzik Wolf wrote that the education ministry is preparing a legal document that will … [Read more...]

Have You Hugged Your Saya’at Today? Teacher’s Aides in Israel

One of the first lessons I learned when my kids started gan (Israeli preschool) is the importance of a good "saya'at," or teacher's aide. The saya'at prepares sandwiches, washes dishes, and cleans floors. She helps children in the bathroom. She cuts up construction paper. In her free time, she gives … [Read more...]

Who Will Be Watching Your Kids Next Year?

Update: I spoke with Shoshana Hayman of the Life Center, who has been meeting with the education ministry to address parents' concerns about the new system. First of all, only 5-year-old kindergarten is mandatory. 3 and 4-year-olds will have free preschool until 2 PM. There will be an option of … [Read more...]

Is a Long Day of Gan Good?

The education ministry's extension of hours for state-run preschools and kindergartens raises practical and educational questions.   Background: In the last several years, Israel's education ministry has been gradually extending the hours of gan (preschool or kindergarten) for 3 to 5 year … [Read more...]

Making Aliyah Mid-Year with Kids

I received this question from TYm: My family is planning to make aliyah next year in the late fall. We have two children 4 an 1 with a baby on the way. We are moving to Rehovot where I will be doing a post-doc in the sciences. We’re still not certain what my husband will have lined up. Any … [Read more...]

Junk Food in Gan as a Form of Neglect

Yosefa writes: I've been reading your old posts under the "olim" (immigrants) section [in my new menu at the top of the page]. I was thinking about the ganenet (preschool teacher) saving NIS 800 a month. Maybe she should have used it to buy higher quality food.  At both my kids' schools, they … [Read more...]

A Family Trait

Today my five-year-old son reached a milestone, exhibiting for the first time a traditional family trait that he shares with his siblings and some first cousins. Like their parents before them, the kids in my extended family never let their teachers get away with giving incorrect information in … [Read more...]

Thinking Outside the Misgeret

In the park today, I was discussing the sleep habits of a particular todder with his caretaker. One of the other babysitters said that toddlers gradually move from a morning to an afternoon nap. I pointed out that my daughter, age two and a half, still sleeps in the morning. The babysitter replied, … [Read more...]