"Thank you very much for the book and the wisdom, the sensitivity and great depths. It's amazing how everything begins and ends with our development. Reached me just in time to delve deeper into the structure of home education... A must-have book for every parent..." - Hani Yaniv

"I finished the book in two days, simply excellent! I've since revisited a few parts after having thought - 'I've experienced some of this in real life.' Fabulous!" - Yosefi Hasson

"The book fascinated me with its vast knowledge, simplicity and generosity of tools for problem-solving, and above all with Ofer's direct contact with the potential life which the child can gain. For those still in search of the way, I warmly recommend reading and delving into this book." - Yuval Shadma

"A hidden treasure for young teachers and an opportunity for introspection for veteran educators. The power of these things lies in your passion for the matter (and in your invitation for the readers to educate out of enthusiasm), and in your ability to go all the way with these children when need be. To know that you can always broaden your range a little further." - Avigail Amir

"Have been reading the book with curiosity and pleasure, Ofer Marbach's educational approach is awe inspiring, I'd hand out the book to all teachers so they can learn and be more knowledgeable. Well done for his contribution to the Israeli educational system, and I hope there will be many more teachers like him, so that the next generation will be better people, treated by a better educational system, just like the one in the book." - Shula Grinberg

"I'm really enjoying the style and the real language, the excellent examples and of course the main idea/model that Ofer wants to impart to teachers. I believe in his approach and am hopeful that this is what all of the future generation's teachers will be like." -Etti Malul

"It is heart-warming to know there are educators who have the courage and sensitivity to look at the child and really see them for who they are, walk hand in hand with them through the smooth and rough paths. Thank you for these priceless tools I will be taking with me for my journey as a parent and an educator" - Elit Hirschhorn

From the Author:
Throughout my entire life I've worked in education. While running a school for children with mental health disorders, I realized that the combination of therapeutic language and educational language is a winning combination for working with children. During the years of running the school, I understood that the children dealing with mental health issues had given me a unique gift - the necessity to open up. In normal schools, one occasionally looks to reach a working silence in the classroom. In order for that to happen, teachers have to turn a blind eye and avoid delving into the emotional reasons for children's negative behavior, thus being able to advance with the curriculum. However, in special education, we must keep our eyes open at all times: disassemble, analyze and understand the emotional factors hidden beneath the children's behaviors. Over the course of seven years, I worked on translating the therapeutic language into an educational one, creating a model which represents an innovative approach combining the two languages, thereby helping staff and students cope with challenges in education within the classroom and the home.

Some children are like orchids - sensitive, vulnerable and necessitating great investment, but their blossoming is the most beautiful and gratifying of all.

Quite a few children experience frustration and challenges within all of their frameworks - at school, in their homes and in their other surroundings. These children pose a much greater challenge than usual for adults, but this is only due to the fact that these adults have yet to find the right way to truly listen to the children’s distress and help them emerge victorious from all of their challenges.

Growing the Orchids is a unique book and a first-time presentation of an educational approach offering a combination of educational and therapeutic languages. The synergy created between the two languages enables conversing and progressive communication with children. The educational experience then becomes positive and respectful, and offers a sense of security for both children and adults.

The book contains various case studies as well as practical tools for coping with educational challenges. Dr. Ofer Marbach - PhD in social policies, school principal, lecturer and advisor with over twenty-five years’ experience of work in the field, out of which ten years spent running schools for special education and Montessori education - manages to touch upon important and urgent subjects in the field of education, all through a model enabling a different perspective on relationships within the classroom, school and family:

How to cope with challenging situations at school and at home
How to create a sense of security for the child and the adult
How to build trust between faculty, children and their parents
How to become a significant teacher
This book is suitable for everyone who has education running through their veins and wishes to become a significant factor in the beautiful blossoming process of children.

Dr. Ofer Marbach
Dr. Ofer Marbach holds a PhD in social policies. Lecturer for Israel's leading teaching institutions for education and special education. Chosen as Outstanding Lecturer in 2018. Advisor for principals and parents. Principal of a Montessori school for ages 3 to 15. Spent seven years as principal of a special education school for children with mental health disorders - the school was twice chosen as Outstanding School. Later on ran a cluster of twelve schools for students with mental health disorders and learning difficulties. Served as panel member in the Israeli Psychiatric Organization for Children and Adolescents' conference - 'Psychiatry and the Educational System'.