Rosh Chodesh Kislev: Welcoming the New Month and Chanukah!

We've always loved our "moon rocks" here!
They're really made from crumpled up tinfoil (shh)
but he still loves a good game of Rosh Chodesh
Moon Rock Toss, and now that he's older
he sometimes even makes it in the basket!

Chodesh Tov! Yesterday, in addition to marking the first day of December, also marked the beginning of the new Jewish month of Kislev. As I've written about before, we try to make the beginning of a new Jewish month a little extra special here. We might have a celebratory playdate or a special snack. Sometimes we dress in nicer clothing, sometimes we take a special family field trip and we also take some time to introduce anything exciting that may be coming up in the month ahead. This month we will celebrate Chanukah. Last night seemed like the perfect time to rotate in some of our favorite Chanukah materials and books.










My little guy woke up this morning with all his usual enthusiasm for a brand new day and a little extra excitement for the new month. I'd already set out this white coffee filter "Blue Moon" project as his work table. All you need is a black washable marker, a white coffee filter and either a spray bottle of water or a small dish of water to dip the coffee filter in after your little doodler is done having at it with the marker. You may want to forewarn sensitive artists that their artwork will be drenched in water and change so that they are not surprised to see an intricate picture disappear! When they are done, spray with or dip the coffee filter in water and watch the color run. I usually fold it in half a few times and then lay out on a couple of paper towels to dry. When dry, it somewhat resembles a blue moon--and Rosh Chodesh comes only once in a New Moon!

finished sample

Our Chanukah Observation Station has also received a lot of play and attention today. He is especially enjoying practicing with dreidels and using real candles to work the fine motor skill of putting candles in a menorah (and taking them out). Now we just have to work on him not blowing out the Chanukah candles! (That's likely the result of my husband recently having a birthday here and likely the inspiration for a future candle sorting activity--which candles do we blow out and which do we let burn to the bottom?)

Chanukah Observation Station

Digging In to Chanukah themed fun!

Chodesh Tov & Happy Playing!