Below are some tips for hosting a meaningful parasha discussion with younger children. Have you successfully run a parasha discussion with your children or students and have something to add to the list? Contact us at content@lookstein.org.
- Consider the goals and purpose of your parasha discussions – to learn content, to connect on a personal level, etc.
- Create a set time and place for these discussions (such as at your family’s Shabbat dinner)
- Set ground rules for parasha discussions together with the children
- Involve the children in the process and allow them to guide the discussions, where appropriate
- Make sure to keep discussions short for very young children, ideally no more than 15 minutes
- Listen and respond to all points made
- Avoid lecturing
- Simplify and breakdown complex ideas to younger children so that they can be involved
- Provide parallels between parasha topics and the children’s lives
- Provide context and explanations for some of the more disturbing or difficult-to-understand parasha stories and themes
- Use ‘reminiscing’ or shared memories to address or connect to parasha topics, when relevant
Have fun and report back!
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