not frum kids.. | Imamother

amother ↓

Sat, Oct 17 2009, 8:53 pm

I need good ideas how to teach the topic tzaar balei chayim.
pleae help! its for tomorrow.

↑ amother ↓

Sat, Oct 17 2009, 8:53 pm

I should add, they are 6 years old

Ruchel

Sat, Oct 17 2009, 8:55 pm

I think mitsvos with such obvious reasons as these ones are easy to teach (contrary to nidda or even some shabbes laws for example). Just show them how true it is!!

↑ amother ↓

Sat, Oct 17 2009, 8:59 pm

Any cute ideas? projects, stories..etc

Blue jay ↓

Sat, Oct 17 2009, 9:04 pm

Sorry for my ignorance but what is tsaar balis chayim! ( Im BT) Id love to help with ideas..

↑ amother ↓

Sat, Oct 17 2009, 9:05 pm

treating animals nicely...not hurting them or causing them pain etc

↑ Blue jay ↓

Sat, Oct 17 2009, 9:15 pm

Ask if any students have pets and what kind of animal. Let them share their pet and their animals name, what kind animal etc and have them discuss how they take care of their pets and have fun with them.

Then follow up with the question: What about squirrels and wild birds, even though these are not the typical pet how can we treat them kindly? Have children list answers.

Finally allude to what the torah says, showing that the children know how to treat our animal friends with kindness just like they do with their pets.

If you have more time have the children draw pictures of their pets during the first part of the lesson and illustrate how they take care of them and treat them kindly. If the child does not have a pet, then have them draw their fantasy pet and how they would take care of them.

bubby

Sat, Oct 17 2009, 9:17 pm

Hey, QueenBee, you seem to have great ideas! And maybe next week, for Parshas Noach, the kids can bring in their pets (assuming they're transportable.) Like show & tell.

↑ Blue jay ↓

Sat, Oct 17 2009, 9:22 pm

Bubby, that would be an excellent follow up lesson!

↑ amother

Sat, Oct 17 2009, 9:58 pm

thank you so so much queenbe3!! that is just what I needed!!!!!!!! Smile

↑ Blue jay

Sat, Oct 17 2009, 10:01 pm

Have fun and good luck!

greenfire ↓

Sun, Oct 18 2009, 2:28 pm

what's the difference if they're frum kids or not ... teaching kids to be kind to animals is an important lesson that everyone should learn ...

↑ greenfire

Sun, Oct 18 2009, 2:30 pm

does anybody have an ant farm - so they can see how hard ants work ... and give them food for thought to think before they step on them ... you can also sing
"the rubber tree plant" song and make it FUN ...

happymom

Sun, Oct 18 2009, 2:54 pm

put on the dr middos tape with the hippo as an example if how they learned to be nice to animals

bella

Sun, Oct 18 2009, 3:14 pm

You can also look for specific resource on websites like the Association for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or the Humane Society of America.

If you have an ASPCA or Humane Society nearby they might be able to send in a speaker or give you more advice.

For my son's birthday one year we had a fund raiser for the shelter where we got our dogs. We asked that each child bring in a gift for the shelter, from a wish list from the shelter. There are animal supplies at the dollar store, even. I found fairly cheap stuffed animals at the dollar store and thrift store and each child was able to "adopt" a pet, give it a name and make a personalized collar and tag.

We talked about being kind to animals, but of course since all the kids were frum, it was a bit more involved than I think you want to be. You can still talk about how they are Hashem's creations and why it's important to care for them.

Even if they are not frum, I think they would be interested to learn that as Jews we have rules/laws for how we treat animals.

There is a great book called, "Tales are not for pulling" by Elizabeth Verdick, but it might be a bit young for your group.