Journey to Age Four

Family Activities:

• שְׁמִירָה
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• You can flip through the book together with your children, looking at OraAyal’s heartwarming illustrations and pointing out each of the occasions on which the blanket helped Maya. You might ask your children what they think made the blanket change its size as the story went along.

• Like Maya, many children have a “lovey” (rag, blanket, pacifier, stuffed animal, or doll) that they take with them everywhere. Talk with your children about the strong attachment Maya feels for her “Blankie,” and share your own experiences: When you were young, did you have a favorite object to which you were particularly attached? Do your children have one? Perhaps you, too, want to embark on a “journey” with the item and do some growing with its support.

• Maya really wants to be four years old already. You could ask your children if there are things “big kids” do that “little kids” don’t. Together you could make an illustrated listof your children’s achievements and capabilities: things they know how to do today andcouldn’t do a year ago, and what they would like to be able to do when they are older.

• You might discuss special occasions throughout the year: holidays, the first or last day of school, important events in the life of your family. How do you mark all these occasions? Do you recite the Shehehiyanublessing, and if so – when?

• How does your family celebrate birthdays? Maya’s story underlines the point that maturity is measured not only by how old you are, but also by your actions. After reading the story, you might add a new custom to your family birthday celebrations—one that will give your children a chance to display their new-found maturity. You could suggest that they choose a toy, an item of clothing, or a doll or stuffed animal that they no longer need “because they’re big,” and give it away to a younger child.

• You could also hold a birthday party for one of your children’s dolls or stuffed animals – plan the party, make decorations, sing songs… everything you do for a birthday!

• Young children’s perception of time is not yet fully developed, and many children, like Maya, ask, “When will…?” Working together, you could design a weekly calendar showing all the days of the week, and then mark each passing day with a small picture or sticker.