The Mighty and the Small (the Very Small!)

The Mighty and the Small (the Very Small!)

     It's time to learn about Chanukah.  How do we acquire knowledge about our Judaic history and traditions?  We listen to stories, sing songs, and we learn a dance.  (Above, we spin like dreidels to the tune Drey Little Dreidel.  We pay attention carefully to the music so we know when to spin and stop.)

Above: Morah Estee and the Kitah Gimmel yeledim listen and learn the story of Joseph.  She tells the story as she moves the pieces.  The next day, the entire storyboard is available for the children to explore independently.  The storyboard remains on an easily accessible shelf for at least a week so that every child has multiple opportunities to investigate the story.

     We also work with small, very small items.  Why is this? 

     At a recent conference that many of us attended, a presenter reinforced a concept:  Small world play encourages imagination, familiarity with new concepts, executive function skills, story telling and early literacy skills, and self-regulation.  (Paradigm conference, Atlanta, GA, Ahava, November 2017, Small World: The Beauty of Jewish Holidays and Themes in Very Small Packages, Ali Yaker)
            

            We know that this is so by our informal observation of the children "at play."  After they hear their Morah tell the story, Shane and Eli retell the events at the table.  The children are free to choose which tray they would like to explore.  They return the tray to the shelf when they are finished, without needing the Morah's assistance.

Logan has an opportunity to reenact the events from the Portion of the Week about Joseph.

The story of the Maccabees is retold by the children, complete with small figures, a cave and maps of Israel and Greece.

     All are welcome for the exploration of the Chanukah story.  We work independently as individuals, in pairs or in small group.  It's our choice.  On these occasions we learn and practice our self-regulation skills. As we handle the pieces, we articulate the story ("Here's the Beit HaMikdash!") This retelling, again and yet again, strengthens our emerging literacy skills.  Our learning extends to other areas, too.  The children have recently begun reenacting the story of the Maccabees on the playground.  There's learning everywhere--and what a fun way to learn!

Happy Chanukah!

The Kitah Gimmel Morahs