Gardening
Gardening Specialist Debbie Togliatti nurtures more than plants: joy, love of nature, healthy eating, and Jewish values.
As stimulating as the classrooms are, Mother Nature has designed one of the best learning environments of all! Every week, children spend time in the Preschool Garden. From planting seeds to observing sprouting to harvesting fruits and vegetables, children’s senses are delighted and their scientific curiosity and imagination piqued as they experience the natural cycle of the seasons. Our Garden Pedagogista, Debbie Togliatti, has created a beautiful and enriching learning environment as well as one that promotes values of physical wellbeing, a love of healthy eating, an appreciation of nature, and acts of sharing with those in need.
Teacher Debbie—who has taught at the OFJCC Preschool for four decades—is the author of Growing Jewish Values: Cultivating Your Jewish Roots in Your Own Backyard. Read some of Debbie Togliatti’s writings about the garden, or watch her video:
“WISH: How Seasonally Eating Aligns with Jewish Values”
“Sharing the Bounty: Growing Values at the Preschool Garden”