The families of שָׁלוֹם חֲבֵרִים (Shalom, Chaverim! – Welcome, Friends! for ages 0 – 3 and their grown-ups) spent three fun weeks exploring the upcoming Jewish holiday of פּוּרִים (Purim), culminating in our own little celebration.
As in prior weeks, children could explore the sensory table full of water beads, פּוּרִים pictures, and plastic רַעֲשָׁנִים (ra’ashanim – noisemakers or groggers). They could make play-dough hamentashen, cook a סְעוּדָה (seudah – feast) in the little kitchen, or build a Persian palace on the rug.
This past Sunday, every child came in costume. There was Elsa, a baby giraffe, a ballerina, a magician, a ladybug, and Wonder Woman.
Children practiced their fine-motor skills while making their own רַעֲשָׁנִים. They filled a folded paper plate with beads, then decorated the outside with paint, stickers, and ribbons. The best part was “testing” their רַעֲשָׁנִים by shaking them really hard!
Finally we gathered on the rug to listen to the פּוּרִים story and make lots of noise whenever we heard the name Haman, the “bad guy” in the story. Then we sang, danced, and played along to פּוּרִים stories.
A joyful פּוּרִים to all who celebrate!
