A SIMPLE, REWARDING WAY FOR YOUR CHILD TO GROW

THE GOAL

The goal is simple: For your child to learn, practice and slowly incorporate at least one of the meaningful Jewish practices that you’ll find below – or any other Jewish practice of your choice.

HOW IT WORKS

[1] EXPLORE THE LIST OF JEWISH PRACTICES BELOW

You’ll find a variety of meaningful, age-appropriate ideas for children at different stages of development.

If there’s something you’d like to see here but don’t, we’d love to hear from you. Please let us know using the feedback form at the bottom of the page — or click here to give any thoughts or feedback that you have.

[2] CHOOSE ONE PRACTICE FOR (OR WITH) YOUR CHILD

Some practices are better suited for younger children, others for older ones — but feel free to adapt, personalize, or modify any of them so they will be right your child.

You may wish to select four different practices in advance (one per week), so you don’t need to re-select each week. It’s usually best to focus on only one practice at a time to keep things clear and manageable.

[3] SET YOUR CHILD UP FOR SUCCESS 

Before beginning the week, take a few minutes to make sure your child knows exactly what to expect:

• WHAT the practice is and HOW to do it

• WHEN and WHERE they’ll be doing it each day

• What REWARD they are working towards and what’s required to earn it

• Where the CHART will be placed (a visible spot like the fridge works well) 

• Do you have stickers ready or a pen so you can mark each day after the activity is done? (The ideal time to mark the chart is straight after the practice is completed)

You may find it helpful to set a daily alarm on your phone to remind both you and your child to complete the practice and update the chart.

[4] OFFER A MEANINGFUL INCENTIVE AT THE END OF THE WEEK 

At the end of each seven-day cycle, your child should receive a prize from you — something exciting and motivating, such taking them out for ice cream or another special treat. This incentive is an important part of the process. It builds motivation, reinforces consistency and helps your child associate effort with a positive outcome.

After the week is complete, you can:

• Repeat the same practice for another week to help it become a habit

• Choose a new practice to keep things fresh

• You could potentially complete a four-week cycle of different practices, then restart with the original one

[5] CHECK OUT THE SUPPORTING PDF

Many practices include a short downloadable PDF with explanations, background, or discussion prompts — so you and your child can learn together how the mitzvah is done and why it matters. Not every practice has a PDF yet but the collection is growing. (Actually none as yet) 

[6] PRINT A CHART TO TRACK YOUR CHILD’S PROGRESS 

Each practice includes two printable charts with the goal already written in:

• One with a more playful, child-friendly design

• One with a more neutral look for older or more mature children

You’ll also find:

• Blank charts that you can fill in with your own practice

11 JEWISH PRACTICES

PRAYER & BLESSINGS 

• Say the Modeh Ani prayer in the morning – CLICK HERE FOR THE PDF CHART (There’s only one chart and no SUPPORT PDF available at the moment)

• Say a food blessing before eating – CLICK HERE FOR THE PDF CHART (There’s only one chart and no SUPPORT PDF available at the moment)

• Say Shema at bedtime – CLICK HERE FOR THE PDF CHART (There’s only one chart and no SUPPORT PDF available at the moment)

• Say “Thank You Hashem” for 2 things each morning that you genuinely feel thankful for (be they small, medium or big things) – CLICK HERE FOR THE PDF CHART (There’s only one chart and no SUPPORT PDF available at the moment)

MITZVAHS

• Wash (vas) one’s hands (Netilat Yadayim) in the morning – CLICK HERE FOR THE PDF CHART (There’s only one chart and no SUPPORT PDF available at the moment)

CHARACTER TRAITS  

• Say “please” before asking for something – CLICK HERE FOR THE PDF CHART (There’s only one chart and no SUPPORT PDF available at the moment)

• Say “thank you” when a parent (or someone else) does something for you – CLICK HERE FOR THE PDF CHART (There’s only one chart and no SUPPORT PDF available at the moment)

• Give someone a sincere compliment – CLICK HERE FOR THE PDF CHART (There’s only one chart and no SUPPORT PDF available at the moment)

MITZVAHS INVOLVING OTHER PEOPLE 

• Ask a parent, “How can I help you?” and then help them with what they need – CLICK HERE FOR THE PDF CHART (There’s only one chart and no SUPPORT PDF available at the moment)

• Help set or clear the table – CLICK HERE FOR THE PDF CHART (There’s only one chart and no SUPPORT PDF available at the moment)

TORAH & LEARNING

• Learn Torah for 10 minutes with a parent – or a different agreed upon amount of time. This could be reading something, discussing something or watching something together. There are ideas and links included in the PDF (which hasn’e been made yet) – CLICK HERE FOR THE PDF CHART (There’s only one chart and no SUPPORT PDF available at the moment)

HERE IS A BLANK CHART THAT CAN BE USED FOR AN ACTIVITY OF YOUR CHOICE (just click to open it as a PDF)