[HANASHIR:9426] Re: Torah in song for 5-6 year olds

[ISP <ISP...>]

In a message dated 6/27/01 4:09:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
LarryTheKay (at) hotmail(dot)com writes:

<< I'd be very grateful for any ideas concerning resources,
 printed or recorded, that I can use not only for song ideas, but also for
 pedagogical ideas - HOW does one teach such a course to such an age? >>

First - in answer to the last part of your question - HOW does one teach such 
a course to such an age, I would say that you teach it the same way that you 
would teach anything to young children - through stories, songs, activities 
that involve movement, and activities that involve their hands.

Now - how to do that with Torah - there are some wonderful materials out 
there. Here are a few sources to get your started:
1. ARE Publishing (www.arepublish.com) - Bible People Songs by Jeff Klepper & 
Jeff Salkin - an oldies, but goodie collection of "little kids" Torah songs.

2. Also from ARE - Torah Talk: An Early Childhood teaching Guide - a great 
resource of the stories, and many accompanying activities that involve art, 
body, dance, etc.

3. Torah Aura Publishing (www.torahaura.com) - My Weekly Sidra - parsha by 
parsha workbook that covers a selection of the week's portion and ends with a 
great way that kids can think about and apply the lesson. Also from Torah 
Aura - the Bible from Aleph to Tav (contains stories from all of the Bible) 
and A Child's Garden of Torah, (which focuses on the Torah, but not 
necessarily sidra by sidra). 

Whatever you do, add art, add movement, add stories to your songs, and send 
information home for families to retell, and they will remember.

Hope this helps a bit - 

b'shalom,
Iris Petroff

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