Toddlers “read the illustrations”. Looking at illustrations teaches toddlers to pay attention to detail, while exposing them to art. You could occasionally ask questions related to the illustration, such as: Where’s the fly? What is the chameleon doing?
While reading, you may want to draw your toddlers’ attention to the main color that appears in the text and illustration. Even if your toddlers do not know the name of these colors yet, they would be delighted to look at the colorful illustrations.
Would you like to have a chameleon that changes its color? Please scan the QR code, print the drawing of the chameleon out on a transparency, and see how it can become colorful, spotted, or even checkered.
Do you have a red ball? What else is red at your house? You may enjoy saying the name of a color, and looking for items of this color together around the house: A cucumber, houseplant, and what other green item can you find?
“I crawl on all fours and change colors like a… chameleon!” take turns deciding on an animal which the parents act out and the toddlers follow suit: “We’re lions, let’s roar!”, “We’re puppies, let’s bark and wag our tails!”
You can also plant at home or in the garden: Dig a hole in the ground, place the seedling inside, tighten the soil around it, and water it. Not sure how to plant? Follow the instructions in the book…
It is a good idea to demonstrate with body movements how a seedling grows: bend low, straighten up slowly, stand on your tiptoes and finally, raise your arms up and sideways.
“How do you plant a seedling? Neither fast nor slow.” You can have fun with quickly or slowly: “Now we will walk… quickly. And now… slowly!” “Let’s roll our hands… slowly, and let’s roll our hands… quickly!” What else can you do quickly and slowly?
“This is how we plant a seedling” is a song with a melody composed by Mati Caspi. You can sing it together with movements, dance and clapping of hands. Scan the QR code to upload the song and sing together.
You may enjoy discussing flexibility and stability in life. You may want to share examples from everyday life. Situations in which we behave like cedars, rooted in our positions, or situations in which we are agile, changing our behavior or opinion. What happens when we realize that our desires cannot be met as we expected them to be?
You may enjoy sitting opposite one another, inhaling and lifting your arms up at your sides until they are straight up. Next, exhale while lowering your arms until they reach out in front of you. We recommend doing some short exercises each time and gradually add more. Enjoy!
What’s the opposite of reed? Cedar! And what’s the opposite of hot? Cold! And the opposite of old? Young! What’s the oppostive of…flexible? stable? sour? baby? Take turns saying a word and having the other players come up with its antonym. By the way, what’s the opposite of… opposite?
Children “read” illustrations, and notice details that do not appear in the text. You could join them while reading by looking at the illustrations too, and discovering how they add interesting, surprising details to the written story, perhaps even telling another one in lines and color.
Where have you traveled to, and where would you like to go? You may enjoy looking at family photos together, and reminding one another of trips you have taken, and your favorite spots to visit. Have you found a place to which you have yet to travel, and would like to go to in future?
In Hebrew, the Sea of Galilee is called Kinneret, and it is featured in a well-known song by the name of Shiri Li Kinneret [Sing to Me, Sea of Galilee]. Would you also like to sing the Sea of Galilee a song? Scan the QR code and sing along!
Is it a buffalo? A fox? A sea turtle? Look closely at the illustrations and get to know animals that live in various parts of Israel. You, parents, can say the name of the creature, and help your children find it in the book. You could also suggest that your child look for more information in additional resources, and increase their knowledge on the various animals.
Place a piece of rope on the ground and decide which side of it is the Sea of Galilee and which is the land. One player will call out “Sea of Galilee” or “Land”, and the others will jump to the correct side. You can even add names of animals, for instance, “Sea of Galilee Duck”, and then jump to the Sea of Galilee side while quacking.
The Reed and the Cedar 
The Sea of Galilee is Fantastic 
קְרִיאָה
קְרִיאָה
יְצִירָה
לָצֵאת הַחוּצָה
מִשְׂחָק
הַשְׁרָאָה
לָצֵאת הַחוּצָה
הַשְׁרָאָה
מִשְׂחָק
שֵׁמַע
הַשְׁרָאָה
שִׂיחָה
שֵׁמַע
מִשְׂחָק
מִשְׂחָק
הַשְׁרָאָה
קְרִיאָה
שִׂיחָה
שֵׁמַע
הַעֲשָׁרָה
מִשְׂחָק
הַעֲשָׁרָה
