Hamentashen Shalach Manot

My daughter wanted to make some Shalach Manot to give out to her little friends. She attends a "Mommy and Me" group at the local library and already has formed some friendships. I was looking for something that she is able to make with supplies that we already had at home. I came across once this fabulous shalach Manot idea (I don't recall where...) and we started working right away! Shalach Manot can be very expensive, but this one looks adorable and really economical -1 cent a piece (you can't beat that!).

To make the Hamentashen Shalach Manot you need:

 1 paper plate

 Colorful Tissue Paper or Shredded Paper

  Brown Paint

  Paint Brush

  Stapler

We first painted on one side of the paper plate brown and left it to dry. We then placed all the items we wanted to give for Shalach Manot in the center of the plate. We also included these delicious Hamentashen we baked together. You can hop over to read more about it on "Get Baking Hamentashen... It's Educational" and print the Hamentashen recipe as well. Then, I helped my daughter fold the plate by bringing the three sides in and stapling on the top to make it look like a Hamentashen. She stuffed the center, jelly part, with shredded paper. When we finished, it looked adorable.

                                                                      Happy Purim!

Purim Play Dough Mats

Little ones enjoy playing with many different games, but play dough can keep them busy for hours. I usually use play dough as a reward system. If I see good behavior, then I can bring down the play dough from the top shelf. Now, that Purim is on its way, I was looking for an interactive activity that the kids can do with play dough and still review many different highlights of the holiday. I came across this website Making Learning Fun and love the "Wishy Washy Play Dough Mats" activity.

Click here to download this Mat

The Purim Play dough Mats are to go along with the Purim Cookie Cutters. You can follow this link directly to the Torah Toy's website where you can find out more details. The Purim Cookie Cutters are great to have at home, not only to make holiday cookies, but also to do different activities with your children. They are colorful, plastic cookie cutters and come in a set of five (Meguillah, Hamentashen, Gragger, Mask and Crown).

Purim Cookie Cutters

To do this activity with your child, you first need to download the mats. Every sheet must be downloaded separately. You can locate the files right beneath each picture. Then, you should laminate the sheets so you can use it over, and over and OVER! I’m telling you… you will be very glad that you've printed them out.

Using the cookie cutters and play dough, help your child complete each scene.

Meguillah

It’s time to read the Meguillah! Have your child make a Meguilah and place it on the Bima for reading.

Click here to download this Mat

Hamentashen

Hmmmm… Someone ate all the Hamenstashen. Can you make some more and place them on the plate?

Click here to download this Mat

Gragger

 The children are at Shul listening to the Meguillah reading. Can you make the graggers?

Click here to download this Mat

Mask

The children are getting ready for Purim. Can you help them dress up? 

Click here to download this Mat

Crown 

 Queen Vashti and Esther are missing their crowns. Can you place the crowns on their head?

Click here to download this Mat

For older children that have already learn the Hebrew letters, they can form each letter with play-dough. It's a great activity to develop fine motor skills as well as to learn Purim sight words.

You can go ahead an relax now... You will not be hearing from the kids for a long time!

Wishing you all

A Happy Purim

Always keep the cookie cutters and mat together in a large zip lock bag. 

Get Baking Hamentashen...It's Educational!

Guest bloggers: Liana Schonbach, Menucha Langsam and Esti Hoffman

                                                            

                                  



          Purim is an exciting time of year for adults and children alike.  Families are busy creating costumes, preparing shalach manos, and arranging all the other myriad details that go into making this Yom Tov special.  What a wonderful opportunity to spend time with your children in an enjoyable and educational way.  This blog will discuss the educational advantages of working together with your child in the kitchen.

        Baking and cooking are two activities that utilize and reinforce various life skills such as following directions, sequencing, and using measurements for real-life application.  In order to be successful in the kitchen, your child must be accustomed to breaking down complex directions into small steps, and being sure to follow those steps in a precise order.  In addition, he/she will need to incorporate his/her math skills to measure out the proper amount of each ingredient.

        Baking is also a multi-sensory experience, as it requires auditory, visual, and tactile processing.  Your child must listen to directions, follow the recipe cards, and use his/her hands to create a culinary creation.

       How can a parent maximize the aforementioned skills through baking hamantashen for Purim ?  Below you will find detailed instructions. Enjoy and Purim Sameach!

1.  The first step in setting your child up to succeed in the kitchen is to encourage him/her to write down the recipe they will be following on an index card or a sheet of paper.  Using a large piece of poster paper is lots of fun, and will make the directions even clearer.  Encourage your child to write neatly along the margins, and to number the steps clearly.  This is a good time to explain any vocabulary words that your child is not familiar with.  It’s also prudent to point out any abbreviations that are included in the measurements

(i.e. T = Tbs. = Tablespoon.)  The recipe should be hung up in an easily visible spot, so your child can refer to it as needed.

Click here to print the Hamentashen Recipe

2.  Next, have your child read through the list of ingredients, and collect them.  Then, they should collect any measuring tools needed.  If necessary, show your child how to read and use the tools.

3.  As your child begins to bake,   it’s important to maintain a healthy balance of giving your child the confidence to work through the process independently, while at the same time subtly redirecting as needed.

4.  Print the Hamentashen recipe and a checklist of activities that your child can fill out as he/she bakes.  This is a generic checklist that can be also be used for future adventures in the kitchen!

Don’t forget that one of the biggest benefits to your child is spending quality time with you.  Enjoy!