We all daven with our kids. Its just part of what we do every day.
Some of us use musical instruments, CD's, points, whatever we can do to keep the Davening exciting and not monotonous.
Now the thing is, at least for the English speakers among us, how many of our kids actually know what they are saying? Do they actually feel connected to Hashem when they are davening or is it just for the stars on their chart or the fun songs?
We recently purchased The Tefillah Box. The second I saw this I knew we had to have it as part of our Homeschool Curriculum.
This is what we received- a Box filled with goodies and a Teachers Guide:
Inside the Box is the Student book and a bunch of miniature toys- an instant attention grabber for the kiddos:
Here's all the miniatures it came with:
We all sat at the table and turned to the first page, Modeh Ani
We all sang Modeh Ani and began the discussion in the Teachers Guide about expressing Gratitude to Hashem for waking up, we spoke about how we charge our iPads over night so they're at 100% in the morning, the same thing happens with our Neshamas.
We then discussed how Scuba divers go exploring the Ocean floor for hours at a time, but they need to come back up to the surface to refill their oxygen tanks, just like us when we go to sleep. Thats how we refill our tanks. And when we wake up, we say 'Thank you Hashem for refilling my Oxygen tank!'
And then we had an adorable Scuba toy to pass around and play with and make the lesson so much more tangible.
Each Tefillah has its own page with the Tefillah written in Hebrew, Transliterated and Translated into English. Then there is an adorable poem explaining what it means and how we can personalize and connect to it. The toys are the cherries on top.
Here are a few of our favorites:
Thank You Hashem for opening my eyes every morning!
Kids love wearing their funny glasses for this Bracha and they really understand it.
Thank You Hashem for giving Strength to the Weak!
We went around and saw who had the most strength by blowing the ball the highest.
Thank You Hashem for Straightening us Up- this little Bendy Guy is too much fun, we bent him and straightened him reenacting how we wake up and stand upright.
Thank You Hashem for not making us a Slave- we have the FREEDOM to be the best Jews we can be! Just like a bird is free to fly high, we have the freedom to reach high levels!
Its just so interactive and hands on and the kids GET IT- they really do.
Morning Brachos are not 'just brachos' anymore. They actually understand that they have SO much to be thankful for and it is such a beautiful way for them to connect to Hashem.
I highly recommend My Tefillah Box as it really has enhanced our davening experience and I am sure it will yours.
This is such a fabulous asset to a Jewish Homeschool Curriculum.
I am sure you will enjoy it as much as we have!
Have a wonderful Shabbos
Always,
