Rosh Hashanah: Day of awe and day to connect to Hashem.
That too much for a 2/3 year old to grasp?
Nope!
To make this concept REALLY relevant to the children and empower them to attend synagogue on Rosh Hashanah and appreciate the Holiday in a meaningful way, we chose to connect it to something near and dear to the children.
We started with people who are the nearest and dearest to the children: THEIR PARENTS!
Our circle time began with each child holding a picture of their parents. We were privileged to witness how much love they have for their Mommy and Daddy!
Each child had a chance to talk about their parents and we got to see through their eyes what they think about their parents.
Some focused on what they were doing in the picture.
Here, Shua spoke about a wedding and we even got to hear about his wedding some day :)
Muka kept saying "I love Mommy Tutty" and felt so proud looking at her picture.
It was also amazing for the children to witness their friends emotions.
Elizabeth told us about kisses. :) so we role played with the picture.
For a couple days we just wanted them to experience and talk to their friends about how much they love their parents. How much they care and are there for them.
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| Chanie and Elizabeth having discussions about their parents. Using listening skills and sharing emotions. |
These pictures followed them where ever they went and seemed to always come into conversation.
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| Levi "Just like we are friends Aron, our mommy and tatty are!" |
Art: Parent picture inspired!
Was a great to tool for to take those feelings and love and put it on paper.
Evi commented, "Mommy Tutty watching me make a picture"
(so comforting)
They felt so attached to their pictures that even during outside time we placed them by the windows, facing outward for the children to view. Every once in a while we saw kids visiting their parents!
It was time to connect it to our message:
Hashem loves us, just like our Mommies and Daddies do! Every one of us are Hashem's children!
It made it so much more real and tangible and comforting to know when we do something sweet or even if we make a mistake or cry, Hashem LOVES US just like our parents do!
Role playing:Taking the big idea to the next step
To take it even further, we set up a baby center to allow the children to demonstrate being a "caring" and "loving" person. What it feels like to love a baby and care for them.
We placed diapers, wipes. change of clothing and band aids. It was amazing to see them role play what their parents would do.
Devorah leah changing her baby's diaper...these conversations brought on a realization of all the things their parents do for them!
Evi and Elizabeth wanted to cook like their Mommies.
Levi playing house next to his Ima and Aba's picture.
Bridging the knowledge ... Elizabeth brought her baby doll and Devorah Leah brought her picture of her family and were talking together about them.
Cry of the Shofar: Audio Center and Big Idea!
In addition to wanting to teach the children to recognize the sound of the Shofar, we wanted them to appreciate why we hear it on this Holiday.
The kaballah explains that the sound of the Shofar represents a baby crying out to its parent. It symbolizes our collective calling out to Hashem on Rosh Hashanah, to continue giving us all we need..
In our audio center we placed a stuffed ram to show where a shofar comes from. Some real shofars to touch and a tape recorder for the children to press play and hear the shofar sounds!
Max practicing to blow the shofar, accompanying the audio.
Levi experimenting with the other side of the shofar!
Shua playing the sound and Elizabeth trying to blow along with it.
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| we placed an apple sticker on the play button to give the children independence. |
Continuing with our sweet theme....
Now, as we introduce the tradition of dipping the apple into the honey--- it had a much deeper, richer understanding.
Even while eating our snack the children were all excited to share what THEY did that was SWEET
Tattle taling is a very age appropriate behavior. In this case we try to focus and put a lot of energy on when the child comes and says something GOOD about their friend.
Aron ran over and said "Morah, Max said excuse me!!"
He even offered to give Max some honey for the sweet thing he did !
(This "sweet board" activity was also a powerful way of helping children to independently look out for the good in others!)
Nothing like a chain reaction of sweetness!
Devorah Leah "I love my mommy"
Elizabeth "Played with Muka"
Levi handing out the honey for all the sweet things his friends did before taking some for himself.
