Early Childhood Institute

Hebrew College's Early Childhood Institute integrates the study of Judaism with early childhood education, presenting developmentally appropriate methods for teaching young children about Jewish values, traditions and culture. Headed by founding Director Ina Regosin, Acting Dean of the Shoolman Graduate School of Jewish Education, ECI provides support and guidance for teachers, furthering their Jewish knowledge and understanding of this foundational stage of Jewish education.

Lead Faculty

Ina S.G. Regosin, Acting Dean of the Shoolman Graduate School of Jewish Education, is founding Director of the Early Childhood Institute. A national leader in the field of early childhood education, she is editor of Milk and Honey: A Curriculum Compendium for Early Childhood Educators. A veteran Jewish educator who has worked in all aspects of Jewish education, from days schools to Jewish camps, Ms. Regosin currently teaches courses on educational leadership at Hebrew College. She earned her BA from Brooklyn College, her MS from Wheelock College, and has undertaken graduate Jewish studies at Yeshiva University and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.

Certificate in Early Childhood Jewish Education—18 credits

For young children, Jewish learning should be an exciting adventure that inspires a lifelong love of Judaism. Key to that formative process is the Jewish preschool, where Jewish educators introduce text-based Jewish values, traditions and Hebrew language to children and their parents—at a time in a family’s life when all are open to new practices and commitments.

The Certificate in Early Childhood Jewish Education equips you with the knowledge and skills to integrate the study of Hebrew language and Jewish values, traditions and culture with developmentally appropriate methods for teaching young children and their parents. The Certificate may be taken for either undergraduate or graduate credit.

LENGTH OF PROGRAM
The Certificate may be completed in one of two formats:

• Online—two years of coursework for 9 credits each year, totalling 18 credits

• Integrated—a student-defined mix of online and on-campus study, totaling 18 credits, taking approximately two years

MJEd OPTION
Graduate credits earned toward the Certificate in Early Childhood Jewish Education may be applied toward the Master of Jewish Education (MJEd), upon approval of the academic advising faculty. Additional application materials are required for admission to the MJEd program.

COURSE OF STUDY

• Teaching Jewish Values to Young Children (3 credits)

• Creating a Developmentally Appropriate Early Childhood Curriculum (3 credits)

• Families, Schools and Community (3 credits)

• Jewish Symbols and Life Cycle OR Special Education in the Early Childhood Classroom (3 credits)

• Hebrew for Early Childhood Education (3 credits)

• Teaching Bible to Young Children (3 credits)

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

• For undergraduate credit: Associate’s degree or equivalent from an accredited academic institution

• For graduate credit: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university

• Academic records

• Application and one letter of recommendation

For more information, please contact the Office of Admissions:
617-559-8610; 800-866-4814; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .