Hanukkah is an exciting holiday full of sensory experiences of lights, smells and tastes.

We want to dedicate this section to the challenges that the holiday brings with it, for us as adults who are responsible for the children, and for the children themselves.

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The danger in the donut

The wonderful donuts, which you can't get through the holiday without meeting them in every corner, are no longer so innocent.

A post made by Rose Franji, a mother of a child with a life-threatening allergy, made us realize something important.

If in the past the donuts came with jam and powdered sugar, today they are upgraded and most of them contain milk or other ingredients such as eggs, nuts, sesame and other ingredients that some people are allergic to.  

The donuts just look innocent, illustration, photo: Oren Ben Hakon

When you buy donuts for the kindergarten, when you host or are guests at the candle lighting events, it is always important to stop for a second before offering the children a taste of the donut, and make sure that there is no allergic child around.

Sometimes out of a lot of good intentions, generosity and lack of awareness of the allergy issue, you may put your life at risk.

You can always make donuts together, and know exactly what goes into their mouths.

Kneading the dough is a great sensorimotor activity, and during the frying phase it is important to keep the children away from the kitchen.  

The most important rule for you to get through this part safely is not to take responsibility for the lives of other children - make sure to ask the parent before offering food to the child, and that way you will avoid possible dangers.

give them time

Pay attention to the children who have a harder time on the holiday, or those who refuse to participate in the kindergarten's Hanukkah party.

They may feel overwhelmed at the candle lighting events with many participants, and we recommend - give them some time.

Arrive early at the party or the house where you are staying, and do not rush them to participate, give them confidence in your presence.

It is recommended to prepare in advance at home - tell the children what will be at the party, repeat the songs and recitations together, and tell them that there are expected to be many guests at the party.  

If it is a party in kindergarten, you can also ask for the help of the kindergarten teacher or assistant who will give the child a "safety shot".

And most importantly - show empathy to the child and don't let him down.

There are quite a few children who "warm up slowly".

With a little time and a lot of patience, they will participate like everyone else and even enjoy the event.

Caution, flammable!

A particularly favorite part of the holiday is the lighting of the menorahs.

A childhood memory that is burned in us is of a girl in kindergarten, whose hair caught fire due to unnecessary proximity to the menorah.

Since then we have been careful to light candles with collected hair only.

A Lego menorah at Dizingoff Center, safe to use, photo: Gideon Markovich

It is important to remember - children up to the age of 9 light candles only with the help of an adult.

The menorah is placed in a safe place - not on a table or near objects that could catch fire, and of course - do not leave burning candles unattended.

If the children made menorahs in the garden, which is a wonderful creative activity in itself, be sure to note that they are usually made of flammable materials, so it is recommended to light the candles in a standard menorah, and display the menorah that the children made in the garden, without lit candles.

Shlomit Shuster is an early childhood specialist, certified parent instructor and family counselor.

Do you have any other tips for a safe holiday?

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