Kindergarten Books > The Same but Different

The Same but Different

Written by: Karl Newson / Illustrated by: Kate Hindley / Publisher: Sigaliot

Distribution: October 2020

What am I good at and what are you good at? What do we like to do together, and what’s more fun to do apart? A colorful and enticing book about the beauty and abundance of diversity; about how we are similar and the differences from each other.

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Family Activities

We, humans, are similar but also different. Some like the same song, while others prefer to listen to a different kind of music. Some like to play on their own, while others prefer playing together. Our differences and similarities are not obvious to young children, taking their first social steps ...

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Classroom Activities

The Same but Different

Written by: Karl Newson

Illustrated by: Kate Hindley

 

Reading together, experiencing together

 

Dear Parents,

 

We, humans, are similar but also different. Some like the same song, while others prefer to listen to a different kind of music. Some like to play on their own, while others prefer playing together. Our differences and similarities are not obvious to young children, taking their first social steps at preschool, the family circle, and the world.

The similarity and difference challenge stays with us throughout our lives, just as it accompanied the lives of previous generations. The sages of the Talmud discussed both human similarities and differences, highlighting three differences:

In three things man differs from his fellow: in voice, face (appearance) and mind.                                                                            [Talmud, Sanhedrin, 38a]

 

Our outward appearance and voice pitch are different and easily distinguishable, but our rabbis have added another important difference, that of our opinions. Our different opinions distinguish us as human beings, making our relationships and friendships interesting as well as surprising.

 

פעילות בחיק המשפחה

  • Reading the illustrations Randomly open the book and look at the illustrations together: Which character is similar to you? Which character are you different than? What makes you similar to or different than the character you have chosen? Which is your favorite character in the book? Note – these questions may be asked every time the book is read. There are days, for example, when we prefer to be alone, whereas on others we choose to spend time together.
  • Playing – What can we see in the mirror? The mirror game presents an opportunity to look at one another as well as ourselves, notice similarities and differences, and laugh. Instructions: Sit in front of the mirror with your child, look at each other, and find similarities and differences between you: Are your eyebrows arched the same way as your child's? Do you both have freckles? Or curly hair? Pulling Faces – one of you could pull a funny face, while the other tries to mimic it. Were you able to make each other laugh? Was it the same funny face that made you both laugh, or different ones?
  • Doing some arts & crafts – Similar but different You could make a family picture together, and add your similarities and differences to it: Take photographs of yourselves together or separately. If you prefer, you could draw self-portraits instead of taking pictures. Print the photos out, paste them on some cardboard, and paint them. Add drawings or newspaper scraps to your pictures with details representing the similarities and differences between you. Do you enjoy playing the same games? How about adding it, then? You could add the different games that each of you like to play. Perhaps one of you prefers quiet, while the other prefers noise. Are you fast or slow? Do you find the same jokes funny? What else would you add to your family photo?
  • Moving similarly – Moving differently Would you like to be active? Here are some suggestions for physical exercises that consist of both similar and different movements. In each round, one of your family members moves their body:  waves their hand, jumps, turns around, or touches their ears. The person next to them then moves too: if they like the gesture made by the previous participant, they can move in a similar way. If not, they can choose a different movement they like better. What did you enjoy? Repeating the same movement, or choosing your own? Scan this code to download a family game we have prepared especially for you.

רעיונות לשילוב הספר בגן

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