Learning about the story of Pesach, Passover

This week we’ve taken a deep dive into learning about the story of Pesach, Passover! We started by learning about the story that inspired the holiday, which stars the hardworking Jewish people who were slaves in Egypt to King Pharaoh. As slaves they had no choices at all. Not fun! Complete freedom with no structure is no fun either!!! We need a balance!

As parents we are very familiar with this concept. Children are learning independence and just want to do everything THEIR way! So how do we balance allowing their independence and freedom, while still keeping them safe and guiding their lives? 

The secret lies in the WAY we give them choices. Because giving children the opportunity to choose gives them the confidence to make decisions as they grow. Through their choices, they will also learn that every action has a reaction and a consequence, some good, others not! 

First, we need to assess their state of mind. Are they in the green (executive functioning state?)- ask them what their choices are? Are they in blue (emotional)? Give them two positive choices- “would you like to jump like a frog or hop like a bunny to the car?” 

Are they in red (survival)? We might offer to make the choice for them. “It seems like you’re having a hard time, I’m going to help you get started”. 

Through our support and guidance, we will build assertive and confident children who will make and them own their choices and decisions! 

Cognitive

• Difference between Chametz and Matzah
• Chametz= something made with flour and water that has time to rise 
• Different items on the seder plate
• Salt water tastes like tears!
• Identifying Different Shapes square rectangle triangle circle cylinder crescent and pyramid

Science

• Underwater eye spy shape activity

Social Emotional

• The Jewish People were sad in Mitzrayim(Egypt) where they had to work so hard and had no time to spend with their family.
• They were so happy when Hashem took them away from Mitzrayim and they were free from Paroh

Art 

•  Work on our Special Haggadah to be used at our Model Seder
• Sand Art
• Cutting and pasting
• Tracing different shapes
• Shape Finger Puppets

Games

• Daily scavenger hunt for shapes both indoors & outdoors
• Shadow dancing
• Shapes & Colours memory mame
• Roll the dice & draw the shape dice game

Music

• Music with Morah Orly - we learned the term Glissando-and used a special instrument that made that sound!
• Lots of Pesach songs and the Mah Nishtana

We made date balls on Friday and enjoyed them at our Shabbat Party!

Candlelighting Friday Night 7:29pm

Shabbat Shalom!!!

Morah Basie Morah Ella and Morah Stephanie