Throughout this whole year so far, I have been blown away by the amazing conversation skills in Nitzanim v’Anafim (“Buds” for 1st-2nd grade and “Branches” for 3rd grade). During כִּיבּוּד (kibud – snack) and in the studio, children talk and share ideas with each other about our theme, תְּשׁוּבָה (teshuva).
One of the most amazing things to see is how the children feel comfortable and empowered to disagree with each other, and how they do so in such kind ways. Here are just a few of the ways children are respectfully sharing ideas with each other:
- “I actually disagree because it says in the text that…”
- ” If you wanna say I disagree without calling out or being mean you could just do this [hand signal].”
- “I have a different idea.”
- “I agree with [child] but I’ll say it in a different way.”
In Nitzanim v’Anafim, we celebrate having an abundance of different ideas! I’ve learned so much from these children about how we can care for each other even when, or perhaps especially when, we disagree.
