Engaging My 6-Year-Old in Torah Learning: Ideas and Practical Examples
As a rabbi and father, I've been reflecting a lot on how to engage my 6-year-old son in Torah learning in a way that not only educates but also excites and inspires him. While he’s bright, curious, and already learning basic prayers and Hebrew at the local Chabad school, I wanted to take his learning experience to the next level and introduce something more sophisticated. I’ve tried traditional approaches, but they didn’t fully capture his interest. In my search for creative methods, I turned to an insightful conversation I had with ChatGPT, which helped me structure my thoughts and gave me practical ideas for how to approach this.
Below, I’m sharing these ideas, which emerged from our discussion, and how I plan to apply them in practice, especially with Parashat Ki Tavo, the month of Elul, and the upcoming Rosh Hashana on the horizon.
1. Interactive Learning: Parashat Ki Tavo
In Parashat Ki Tavo, we learn about the Bikkurim (first fruits) and the blessings and curses that come with following or neglecting the mitzvot. These concepts are rich with meaning, and ChatGPT found a way to make them interactive for a young child:
Bikkurim:
Introduce the Bikkurim in a more tangible way. We acted out the story—pretending to be farmers bringing the first fruits to Yerushalayim. By engaging him through role-playing, explore the theme of gratitude (hakarat hatov) in a way that felt real to him. Also, create a colorful paper craft of a Bikkurim basket to make the idea of offering our first fruits something he could see and touch. This approach makes the concept come alive.
Blessings and Curses:
To explain the blessings and curses, use real-life examples and connect them to his daily experiences. For example, talk about the blessing that comes from sharing toys with friends and the challenges that arise when we don’t listen to our parents. One can even turn it into a simple game, categorizing good and bad choices as blessings or curses. He will love making these connections!
2. Gamified Torah Learning: Elul and Rosh Hashana
Elul is a time of introspection and preparation for Rosh Hashana, and it’s important to make this accessible and meaningful for a 6-year-old.
Teshuva Game:
Create a "Teshuva Journey" game where we went through the steps of teshuva: admitting mistakes, feeling regret, asking for forgiveness, and making a plan to improve. Each stage is interactive, and one can act out scenarios where he could practice apologizing or planning a good deed. The game-like approach helps him grasp these deep concepts in a fun and approachable way.
3. Experiential Learning: Sound the Shofar
The shofar is such a central part of Rosh Hashana, and one wants to connect with it on a deeper level. Practice blowing the shofar (or in his case, using a toy shofar), and explain what each sound means:
- Tekiah: A long blast, like welcoming a king.
- Shevarim: Broken sounds, representing breaking bad habits.
- Teruah: Fast, short blasts that remind us to wake up and improve.
By making this hands-on, he will not only have fun but also begin to understand the spiritual significance behind the sounds.
4. Visual Learning: The Book of Life
One of the most powerful ideas of Rosh Hashana is the concept of being written in the "Book of Life." To make this idea more visual, draw a large open book together and discuss what kinds of things we want Hashem to write for us in the coming year—good health, happiness, success in learning Torah, and so on. This not only gives him a creative outlet but also helps him understand the importance of prayer and teshuva during the Yamim Noraim.
5. Torah and Science Integration: Bikkurim and Nature
Since he’s naturally curious, one can use the mitzvah of Bikkurim as an opportunity for a nature walk. Explore the beauty of Hashem’s creation, discuss how farmers would bring their first fruits to Hashem, and how we can show gratitude for everything we receive. This experiential learning makes Torah study feel alive and connected to the world around us.
6. Mishnayot Connection: Teshuva in Pirkei Avot
Though traditional Mishna study often begins around age 10, one can introduce some simple Mishnayot from Pirkei Avot that touch on the themes of teshuva and reflection. Talk about how wisdom involves learning from our mistakes and how Hashem always sees our actions, especially as we prepare for Rosh Hashana. He will respond well to these discussions, especially when we relate the ideas back to his own life.
7. Stories of Tzadikim: Inspiring Teshuva and Preparation
Telling stories of tzadikim (righteous people) is a powerful way to inspire children. Share stories about how great rabbis like the Baal Shem Tov and Rav Yisrael Salanter would prepare for Rosh Hashana, emphasizing how even small actions of teshuva can have a big impact. These stories make the concept of spiritual preparation for Rosh Hashana relatable and exciting for him.
If you're a parent or teacher trying to engage your child in Torah learning, I hope these examples help you bring Torah to life for them, too! See here for our original discussion.