[HANASHIR:15767] Tot Shabbat response

[Carol Boyd Leon <cbleon...>]

My main suggestion is to make your Tot Shabbat more of a "real" service.  
That'll give you a built-in structure which allows for consistency from 
month to month but also allows for something new and fresh each time -- 
you've always got a different Torah portion to work from, a new story to 
tell that relates in some way to it, and a new song or two to teach, even if 
it's "just" a Shabbat song when you haven't got one that relates to the 
parasha.  If you make it a learning experience for the children, their 
parents will be your greatest allies, helping you every step of the way.

Keep the kids busy and involved.  Use them as your service "helpers" 
(leading a Torah parade, playing tambourines, distributing challah, etc), 
use lots of props and visuals, incorporate body movement with several of the 
songs/prayers, and make it a service that even adults (at least those 
somewhat new to services) learn from.

Pacing is very important with this age group.  Don't let things drag.  The 
kids will stay focussed if you keep things moving.  Include in your service 
quiet moments and loud ones, serious and lighthearted, still and boisterous.

Remember to tell the kids how nicely they just sang a song, how well they 
listened, etc.   And thank the parents for bringing you such great kids, or 
for being good sports if they played along on an especially kiddie-oriented 
song or activity.  After all, warm fuzzies feel good at every age.  You can 
help create a Shabbat experience that they'll want to keep coming back for.

-- Carol (who does umpteen Tot Shabbats a year)


Carol Boyd Leon
Songwriter/Cantorial Soloist/Music Educator
E-mail:  CBLeon (at) hotmail(dot)com
Phone:  703-250-0554
Web page:  http://www.geocities.com/CBoydLeon

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