Godly Play Sunday School -- 9:15 am each Sunday, ages 2-12

Since September, 2005, we have been enjoying our new Children's Sunday School Curriculum based on Godly Play teaching methods. Godly Play is a Montessori style Christian education curriculum that emphasizes respect for children's imagination and initiative. We have tailored and modified ideas to fit our children and teaching staff. We do use some of the Godly Play "toys" as focal props for biblical and theological story-telling. Our children range in ages from 2-11. All the children are taught together, with instruction flexibly offered to intellectual interests and abilities across the range. Older children frequently help younger children in the story-circle or during structured play time.

The structure of each class is consistent. Each child is greeted by name and welcomed individually into our "liturgical space", which is set off from other areas. There the children meet the story-teller, and sit on their own mat in a circle. When everyone is settled, the story-teller takes down the great Bible and opens it to the appropriate book. We have been learning about the first five books of the Old Testament and the first four gospels in the New Testament. Then the story-teller places the Godly Play props (often with home-made additions) in the center of the circle, and tells the biblical story. The story-teller emphasizes theological dimensions of the narrative in the course of re-telling the story, using the props to engage the children's imagination. At conclusion, the story-teller asks the children open-ended questions about their reflections on the story. Children answer from their unique capabilities, but the range of ages means that shared insights emerge and there is mutual help among the children.

We then break out of the circle for individual play with the Godly Play toys, or to do a prepared craft. Each child has a private journal and they are invited to record their recollection of the story either in words or drawings. Teachers work with the children to gently focus but not direct play. We usually have snacks available during this time.

Finally, we gather again in our circle to say the Lord's Prayer together or to offer up petitionary prayers. This has been an important time for learning about the things that worry or grieve the children. We also give prayers of thanks.

Our objectives for the Children's Education program are to:

• acquaint children with important stories from the Bible
• acquaint children with the overarching narrative of the life and death and resurrection of our Lord
• teach them the seasons of the liturgical calendar and how these are related to that narrative
• help children memorize important prayers and biblical verses
• help children to identify and reflect on central theological doctrines, such as the trinity, the Creator God, the meaning of sin, everlasting life
• facilitate children's mutual help to each other in reflecting on our life in faith together
• share artistic, musical and imaginative expression together
• enjoy our friends

We look forward to learning and growing together.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church