We take "events" for granted because we are doing them
continually. Really, they are very complex and comprise many
distinct steps. Sometimes, it is appropriate to "play" a
child through an event to help him realize the significance
of each stage. Then, when he experiences the event in real
life, he can be in control and know what he has to do and and
why he has do each stage of the event.
The following is a list of sample events, broken down into
their individual steps. You might feel that stages are
insignificant - but please do not over-estimate a child's
understanding.
GETTING UP
Say Modeh Ani. Wash negel-vasser. Go to
bathroom. Say Asher Yotzar. Get dressed. Put away
pajamas. Tidy bed. Tidy room. Eat breakfast. Check what you
need for kindergarten/school. Kiss Abba/Imma goodbye. Go to
Gan/school or catch transport.
MEAL-TIME
Wash hands clean. Wash for bread. Wipe hands dry. Make
brocho. Eat bread. Dip bread in salt three times. Eat
nicely. Don't play with the food. Eat all the food. Do not
look at someone else's plate. Say thank-you. Say Bircas
hamozon. Clear table. Wash dishes.
GOING TO THE STORE
Make list. Prepare money. Go to store. Take basket. Take what
you need. Go to cashier. Wait patiently. Take everything out
of basket. Pay. Take change. Say "Thank you!" Put everything
in bag. Take everything home.
SENDING A LETTER
Think what you want to write. Take pen and paper. Write
letter, date, sign. Put in envelope. Stick down the envelope.
Write address on front. Write your address on back. Go to the
Post Office. Buy a stamp. Stick the stamp on the envelope.
Put letter in mail-box.
GOING ON A BUS
Clarify where you are going. Clarify how to get there. Which
number bus? Where is the bus-stop? Go to the bus-stop. Wait
patiently. Have money/ ticket ready. Take your turn to go on
bus. Give money/ticket to driver. Take bus- ticket back from
driver. Say "Thank you" to the driver. Put it in a safe
pocket/bag. Find a seat. If bus is crowded, give your place
to someone older. Wait patiently. When the bus gets there,
wait for the bus to stop. Get off the bus.
VISITING A FRIEND
Find out where friend lives. Make sure it is okay with their
parent. Arrive on time. Play nicely. Say "Thank you" for any
refreshment. Leave on time. Say "Thank you" when you leave.
HAVING A GUEST
We arrange time with parent. We invite our guest. We tell
them where we live. We tell them how to get to us. We tidy
our room. We welcome them in. We tell them how happy we are
they came. We let them play with our toys. We offer them food
and drink (like Avrohom Ovinu). When they have to go home, we
tell they how we enjoyed playing with them. We take them to
the door. We go with them part of the way to make sure they
know how to get back to their home.
GOING TO BED
Tidy up what you have been doing. Change into your pyjamas.
Wash. Brush your teeth. Say Shema. Good night!
TIDYING UP
Clear the table. Put things away. Wipe the table clean. Pick
everything from the floor. Sweep the floor. Throw away the
garbage.
