Elul - The King is in the Field

Exploring the King in the Field: Creative Ideas for Preschoolers

The Jewish month of Elul is a time for reflection and preparation before the High Holidays. Engaging preschoolers in creative activities centered around the concept of the "King in the Field" can make this period both meaningful and enjoyable. Here are some imaginative ways to bring the King in the Field to life for your little ones:

Use our Elul King in the Field Puppet

Complement the craft with our Elul King in the Field puppet. This full-color puppet serves as a visual aid to help explain the concept of the King visiting his people in the field, emphasizing themes of humility and preparation during Elul.

Circle Time Activity: The King in the Palace vs. The King in the Field

During circle time, we created a wooden block palace complete with guards lined up before the throne room where the King resides. We discussed how, in a palace, the King is surrounded by many guards, and only a few people can access him. 

Then, we contrasted this with the King in the Field during Elul, where the King is accessible to everyone and anyone can come to see Him. This hands-on activity helped the children understand the significance of the King being more approachable and present in the field compared to the palace.

Craft Activity: Create Your Own King in the Field Puppet

Materials Needed:

• Green construction paper or felt (for grass)
• Colored felt or paper (for the King puppet)
• Shiny paper for crown
• Googley Eyes
• Sequins, gems or buttons for decoration
• Scissors
• Glue or glue sticks
• Markers or crayons

Instructions:

1. Cutting Grass: Prepare rectangles with cutting lines draw on. Have the children cut on the lines to create strips of green construction paper or felt to create a grassy field. This activity helps children practice their cutting skills while discussing the concept of a field.
2. Creating the King Puppet: Assist the children in making their own King puppet using colored felt or paper. Pre-cut some shapes if needed, or let them design their own. They can decorate their King with a crown, robe, and other details. They can add the gems, sequins and buttons. Have the draw a face and use googley eyes.
3. Assembling the Scene: Once the grass and King puppet are ready, have the children glue the grass onto a piece of paper or cardboard, and then stick their King puppet onto the grass.

Discussion: Encourage the children to think about what they would ask the King if they met him. This can lead to a meaningful conversation about their hopes and wishes and the themes of Elul. You can write the child's request on their art project.

King in the Field Coloring Page

Our King in the Field coloring page, available for purchase, adds another layer of engagement. This page allows children to color their own King, reinforcing the lesson and making learning about Elul interactive.

Book Recommendations

For further exploration, consider these books:

• "The King in the Field" by Dina Rosenfeld: A beautifully illustrated book that captures the essence of the King in the Field concept.
• 
  "The King in the Field: An Elul Story": Another wonderful resource that delves into the Elul story and can enhance your Elul activities. Explore this book here.

Incorporating the King in the Field theme into preschool activities not only makes the month of Elul educational but also fun. From crafting and coloring to storytelling, these activities offer a creative way to connect with the themes of Elul and prepare for the High Holidays.