THE WHOLE MEGILLAH!
Purim gives us a wonderful opportunity to discuss about what it means to "become someone else" while the children engage in pretend play. Dressing up fascinates young children and this excitement is a vehicle to celebrate this joyful holiday.
The learning that is going on is incredibly meaningful. Making patterns with triangles, like Haman's hat, sorting them by size and measuring ingredients to bake hamantaschen? That's math. Dressing up to retell the story of Purim, naming the symbols, learning new songs? That's literacy. Cutting and decorating masks and groggers? Fine motor skills at work! Drowning out the name of Haman, finding things that make noise in the classroom and identifying the tastes of the fillings in hamantaschen? That's science. Comparing stories about Queens and Kings and making parallels to the story of Purim? That's critical thinking skills. That, is the true meaning of learning through play!
The celebrations continue this Sunday at the Dancing with the Stars Purim Character Breakfast and next Thursday with the Megillah reading and a parade of costume. What a festive time for all!
Shabbat Shalom,
Sandra Huzenman, M.S.
Early Childhood Director/Kindergarten Pedagogical Liaison
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