SPECIAL ACCOMODATIONS

At ITA Home Education, we are dedicated to nurturing the whole child through a harmonious blend of Torah values and Waldorf educational principles. Our approach respects each student’s unique strengths and needs, honoring their individuality within a framework of Jewish teachings. Our special accommodations are designed to support your child's learning journey in a holistic, Torah-aligned environment that fosters growth in spirit, heart, and mind.

Types of Special Accommodations

Our accommodations are thoughtfully crafted to align with Torah principles and Waldorf ideals, creating a supportive environment that nurtures each child’s neshamah (soul) and intellectual growth. Below are some ways we support our homeschool families:

Rhythmic Learning and Extended Time: Emphasizing the importance of a balanced daily rhythm, extended time on assignments allows children to engage deeply with their learning at their own pace. This approach mirrors the Torah’s value of measured, mindful actions and intentional growth.
Holistic and Modified Assignments: Assignments are adapted to include elements like Torah stories, Jewish holidays, and hands-on projects that connect learning to our rich Jewish heritage. Creative expressions, such as drawing a scene from the Chumash or crafting a menorah, encourage a deep, personal connection to the material.
Alternative Assessment Methods: Assessments can include main lesson books filled with Torah insights, hands-on projects, oral recitations, or creative displays of learning, reflecting the Waldorf belief in process over product. Each child’s work becomes a personal Torah journey, celebrating their understanding.
Quiet, Warm Testing Environment: Families are encouraged to create a calm, sanctified space for learning, with gentle lighting and comforting natural materials that reflect the beauty of Hashem’s creation. A dedicated space for davening (prayer) before study helps ground the child in spiritual focus and intention.
Prayer Before Study: We encourage beginning each learning session with a short tefillah (prayer) to connect with Hashem and seek success in Torah and general studies. This practice helps set a meaningful tone for the day, emphasizing that all learning is a part of our service to Hashem.
Frequent Movement and Breaks: Incorporating breaks for mindful movement, nature walks, or even stretching in a way that reflects Jewish mindfulness practices (like Shmirat Haguf, care for the body) helps students stay connected to their learning.
Use of Natural and Sensory Materials: Using natural materials like beeswax candles, silk, and wool supports sensory integration, while also reflecting the Torah’s appreciation for the world’s natural elements, such as those used in the Mishkan (Tabernacle).
Storytelling and Oral Instruction: Teaching through storytelling, especially with tales from Torah, Chassidic stories, or Midrashim, nurtures the imagination and builds an emotional bond with our heritage. This approach aligns with both Torah learning traditions and Waldorf’s emphasis on narrative learning.
Flexible Learning Spaces: Learning can take place anywhere, reflecting the Torah’s teaching that wisdom is found in all places. Cozy reading corners, outdoor spaces, or a dedicated learning table can inspire and accommodate each child’s needs.
Parent and Teacher Collaboration: Parents and educators work together to support the child, guided by Torah principles of chinuch (education) and ahavat Yisrael (love for fellow Jews), ensuring each child’s education is personalized, compassionate, and spiritually aligned.
Adjusted Grading and Feedback: Emphasizing qualitative feedback and Torah values, such as middot (character development), over grades fosters a growth mindset. Comments focus on effort, creativity, and understanding, reflecting both Torah and Waldorf views of assessment.
Visual Schedules and Rhythmic Aids: Rhythm charts and daily schedules can incorporate Jewish elements like candle lighting times, tefillah (prayer) breaks, and holiday preparations, helping children feel the flow of Jewish time in their learning.
Natural Rhythms and Flexible Schedules: Families can design learning schedules that honor Jewish times, including breaks for tefillah (prayers) and designated times off for chagim (Jewish holidays) and Shabbat, ensuring that these sacred times are respected and celebrated within the rhythm of the school year.
Sensory-Friendly Learning: Sensory-friendly spaces with calming colors, soft textures, and nature-inspired elements support a peaceful, engaging learning environment that reflects the Torah’s appreciation of beauty and order in creation.

Requesting Special Accommodations

ITA Home Education honors the individuality of each child within a Torah framework. Parents are encouraged to connect with us to discuss their child’s specific needs and explore special accommodations that align with Torah and Waldorf principles, nurturing the child’s unique journey.

Contact Us: Please call our office to schedule a consultation with our team. We are here to listen, offer guidance, and help tailor accommodations that nurture your child’s learning and spiritual growth.