Skill Building Through the Haggadah

Creating a Haggadah is a meaningful and memorable part of Early Childhood preparation for Pesach. When approached creatively, it becomes more than a project—it blends skill-building, artistic expression, and hands-on learning, helping children connect deeply to the story of Pesach.

Cognitive development: how children think, explore, remember, and understand is one area of child development. The growth is rapid in the early childhood years, especially in language, memory, problem-solving, and imagination.

Cognitive development in early childhood is nurtured through:

- Conversation

- Play

- Exploration

- Reflection

- Intentional questioning

Watch this class for more about cognitive development

Practical Ideas:

1. Language

- The Seder is full of “why” moments—why do we dip twice, why do we recline, why do we eat matzah? Ask children to think about these questions, make predictions, or suggest explanations, which encourages logical reasoning and critical thinking. You can turn these questions into interactive games, such as sorting “cause and effect” cards.

- The Haggadah introduces rich vocabulary—from Hebrew terms like the Simanei HaSeder to descriptive language about the Makkos. Don’t substitute these words with simpler, more familiar ones; use the opportunity to enrich students’ vocabulary.

1. Sequence and Memory

- Designing the Haggadah requires much direction/guidance from the teacher. Give multi-step directions gradually and use repetitive language, with variations. That builds neural connections in a child’s brain.

- The Haggadah is presented in a structured sequence,which is perfect for developing a child’s ability to understand order and recall. Activities like placing illustrated cards of the Makkos in order, organizing Simanei Haseder cards , or telling a short Pesach story encourage children to remember details and build narrative skills.

1. Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking

- Ask guiding questions:

“What could we try next?”
“Why do you think that didn’t work?”

- Provide open-ended materials (blocks, loose parts, art supplies) as often as possible and encourage children to use their imagination.

Remember! The goal is the process, not the product.

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