Knowledge of parsha themes is a very relevant issue in
the education of our children, not only as a training in
mitzvos, but also as an avenue into family
discussions. Even three and four-year-old children can derive
tremendous satisfaction from being able to answer a question
or add information when the parsha is on the
agenda.
How an we create enjoyable and fruitful parsha
discussions with our pre-schoolers? The first thing to bear
in mind is that attitudes are contagious. If you are
interested in the parsha and find it meaningful in
your life, you may be able to ignite a spark of interest in
your child. Try to prepare yourself. If you can, open a
chumash, even for five minutes, to refresh your
memory. There's always a sefer on the shelf that deals
with parshal themes if the chumash intimidates
you. Find one you like, and dedicate a few moments to adult
education. Depending on your schedule and personality, maybe
school notes, tapes or simple mental review would do the
trick for you. Envision yourself as the full bottle spilling
over to fill the cups next to it.
Step Two is to think of your child's development level,
interests, challenges in life. Do any connections with the
parsha come to mind? For instance, Noach inculcates
the midda of chessed by taking care of animals.
How could this be relevant to a little urbanite? It would be
a good opportunity to discuss tzar baalei chaim with
your child. Would Noach have thrown stones at cats and
pigeons when he saw them outside? Or, let's take the
mitzva of separating challa found in Parshas
Shelach. Has your hcild ever seen it done? If you are not
a challa baker, it might be the time to start, or to
ask a neighbor if your child can observe her when she says
the brocha and separates the dough. Or initiate a
visit to a local bakery together with a few families.
Resist the temptation to `get it all in'. Instead, selet one
or two points that you can imagine your child relating to,
and start there. At another point, or if your child expresses
further interest, you can add more. Bear in mind that small
children can be frightened by hearing about such events as
akeidas Yitzchok or the selling of Yosef. One teacher
mistakenly applied the hands- on approach when she reenacted
the burial of Sara Imenu with her class by burying a doll
with blocks, for Parshas Chayei Sora. This is not age-
appropriate. It's better to leave such topics for later
years.
Now the fun can begin. Introduce your parsha mitzva or
concept during a cozy, happy time, not when either of you are
over-tired or upset. Mealtimes, car and bus rides, walks, and
bedtimes are all possibilities. [Ed. Note: An initiated bus
ride can be a perfect setup, especially for rainy days, since
there are no distractions for mother and child, like the
phone and doorbell, and toddlers can look out the window and
not disturb. Choose a long route, requisition the back bench
and prepare pictures or other look-see material.] Look at
your child, smile, use a pleasant tone of voice. He will
associate all these with learning parsha! Your work is
already half done!
Ask, instead of tell, whenever you can, and then don't forget
to wait for your child's answer! Asking questions engages a
person's intellect and curiosity and creates an immediate
interaction between him and the subject matter. What can you
ask, before you've even started to introduce your theme? Just
to get things going, you can do a little review of last
week's parsha. "Does anyone remember the name of the
parsha or what happened to so and so?" We all know
that review is an essential part of learning, so you haven't
wasted your time. Just remember to keep it short, unless your
child has more questions. Also, not to tax the child too much
with difficult questions that leave a let-down feeling if he
doesn't know the answers. If he doesn't respond to your
questions, simply answer them yourself and move on. You've
already selected a point of interest. Keep eye contact if you
can, and smile.
Children learn best from concrete experience. This enables
them to develop abstract understanding in the course of time.
After describing in vivid terms how sincerely Avrohom Ovinu
desired to honor guests, put hospitality into practice! Make
a list together of how to look after a guest. Act it out
yourself, with your child and siblings. Invite someone over
[for a meal, overnight] and let your child put himself out
like Avrohom Ovinu did. These events could be documented in a
parsha journal or with photos and used for later
review.
Small children will be keenly interested in the story of how
Moshe Rabbenu's family struggled to protect him from Paroh's
decrees. Describe how, before putting him in a basket in the
Nile, they made sure it was waterproof by tarring it. Look
for waterproof vessels in your house together and see if they
really float. If you pass a building site, you might actually
see tar being used for waterproofing exactly as it was in the
chumash! Don't forget to mention that even after Batya
took Moshe to the palace, his mother came to feed him every
day! This is very reassuring, since abandonment is a common
childhood fear. Teach your children a song about the names of
the Tribes and the Ten Plagues, or make one up together.
Children love to learn through songs, and can store large
amounts of information this way.
For parshiyos dealing with the Mishkan, look together
for photos, samples of fabrics and metals that correspond
with those that were used. This could develop into a
household treasure hunt! Animals used for sacrifices are
often depicted in children's books and even on their
clothing. Reminisce about a trip to the zoo, or plan one
together. You will be showing your child that nothing in our
world has to be mundane. We can use it all for Hashem!
When a parsha like Kedoshim comes up, with so
many mitzvos that apply on a daily basis, you could
write a number of them on small slips of paper and let your
child draw out of a hat. Whichever mitzva is drawn
will be the one to discuss. This is a kosher way to let
children be the boss, and it will certainly heighten their
interest in parsha.
Since food occupies so much of our time and attention, make
sure to take advantage of those parshiyos dealing with
milk/meat and kosher vs. non- kosher animals. Ask your child
to show you where milk and meat dishes, cutlery, pots and
pans are washed, dried and stored. Together, look for
kashrus symbols as you shop or put away the groceries.
Explain that Hashem wants us to keep kosher because it has a
purifying effect on our neshomos. Express, in simple
terms, you own feelings of gratitude that Hashem gave us a
neshoma which can be elevated. [Note: Perhaps, as an
example, you could use the idea of a car, and the fuels that
make it run: better fuel makes it run better and keeps it in
better condition.] You will be helping to develop your
child's awareness of his own neshoma and its
potential.
As time goes by, you will find yourself developing a
reservoir of parsha- based middos and attitudes
such as chessed, gratitude to Hashem, the importance
and effectiveness of prayer and yiras shomayim. Refer
to these ideas in conversations with your child as daily
challenges arise. Talk about how the lessons you learned
together are helping you decide how to act in according with
Hashem's will. Your child will very likely follow in your
footsteps and his passion for parsha will take
root.
