Explorers
FAMILIES AT ALL SAINTS’ | TINY CHURCH | TWEENS | TEENS
Godly Play for Lower Elementary Students
Using the Godly Play curriculum, our Explorers program creates a classroom environment that functions as a place for children to be themselves, to learn how Christians live in community, and to come closer to the mystery of God’s presence.
Respect for the space and for one another is always emphasized in our Godly Play Classroom, to help children feel safe and successful.
We encourage children to form their own community and take care of one another, without “over-adulting” our classrooms, so we can allow children to form a community and empower themselves to be in control of their space, and the storyteller and door-person to remain focused on the children and their work.
What is Godly Play?
Godly Play is a method of Christian education and spiritual direction for children ages 3 to 12. The goal of Godly Play is to teach children the art of using religious language – parable, sacred story, silence and liturgical action – to help them become more fully aware of the mystery of God’s presence and direction in their lives.
What makes Godly Play distinctive?
In Godly Play, we tell Bible stories to children to encourage them to enter in to the stories and relate them to their personal experience. Godly Play is concerned with the spiritual development of each child as an individual and with modeling the appropriate moral behaviors expected of people living within a Christian community.
Why do children’s ministry classes start 15 minutes before the worship service?
In Godly Play, each Sunday school class follows the pattern of the four fold order of worship: gathering in God’s name, proclaiming the Word, giving thanks and going out to serve. Children will also learn the etiquette of being in church, understand liturgy and religious language and what we do together as we worship in the sanctuary. Each week the Godly Play and The NEST children will be brought down to process with the Offertory and then join their parents and the rest of the congregation for Eucharist.
Why are children asked to “get ready” before entering a Godly Play classroom?
The Godly Play classroom is sacred space for children. It is a place where children are encouraged to engage in “deep play” with scriptural materials. It is a place of silence, mystery and wonder. A greeter waits at the door to help each child become ready to enter the room. This helps them participate fully with the community of children in the classroom. A child who arrives late will be admitted as soon as this can be accomplished without disturbing the circle of children.
Who are the two teachers in each classroom?
Each of the two co-teachers has a different role, and both are vital to the smooth functioning of the classroom. The greeter acts as a host or hostess for the classroom, ensures children are ready to enter and supports them in their work. The storyteller presents the lesson, supports the circle of children in their wondering and choosing their work and blesses each child before he or she leaves.
About Children’s Work
Children’s play is their work.
Children are encouraged to choose their own work.
Children like to work when it is work they have chosen for themselves.
Teachers do not interfere with the children’s work unless the child asks for help.
When a child seems unable to ask for assistance, it should be offered by the adult.
Part of the work of the community of children is the care of their own classroom.
Children like to feel self-sufficient; it is good to allow them the opportunity to clean up their own spills and put away their own work.
About Teachers and Children
Teachers are guides. They do not need to have all the answers.
Children have much to teach adults who take the time to listen.
Children are encouraged to do the work of finding their own answers.
When a teacher takes time to listen to and observe a child, the teacher can find more effective ways to lead the child into new discoveries.
