In one church where Rex and I taught a class of four and five year olds, our preschool and kindergarten department became known as The Joy Manufacturing Company. We wanted it to truly be a joyous place so we set some goals. Let me share some of these goals with you.
1. A PLACE FOR THE CHILDREN: The preschool/kindergarten room will be a place where children feel at home. It will be their special place in our local family of God. When they come to church their room will be full of interesting things to play and do and learn. All the toys and games will be age-appropriate, safe, and displayed in an inviting manner.
2. PRACTICING GOD'S WORDS: Loving teachers will be in this room to help and play with the children. The teachers will gently guide them in learning to "practice God’s Words" as they interact with each other at work and play. We want all to leave with the feeling that they are happy to have been here - children and teachers alike.
3. PREPARE THE ENVIRONMENT: Running a successful preschool program will require setting up an environment full of age-appropriate learning games and materials which the children can explore with all five senses. Plans must also be made to staff this environment with teachers and helpers who will play with the children, introducing and reviewing Bible concepts, answering questions, and using conversation to bring out spiritual values and preschool skills.
4. TAKE CARE OF THE LEARNING MATERIALS: Definite procedures for putting things away should be followed. The last thing tired teachers need at the end of a busy day is a messy room to clean. All learning games and materials should be put away as soon as you are through using them. Then they will be ready to use the next time. No missing parts or pieces thrown into a toy box! Play is the child’s work. Toys and games are the tools of that work. We need to take good care of our tools. The best game in the whole world is of no use if you can't find it!
5. KEEP THE SCHEDULE FLEXIBLE: Activities will be planned for individual, small group, and large group times. There will be a balance between free-choice centers and teacher-led activities. Transition routines will take care of bathroom, rest, and snack time needs.
6: REACH INTO THE HOME: This will be done through handcraft projects, parent letters, and family get-togethers and outings.
7. INVOLVE THE CHURCH FAMILY: This will be done through the Booster Club, where church members come to help decorate the room and prepare materials for the concept box activities. Periodically, during morning worship service, the class will give special programs and presentations.
8. PLAN FOR CONSISTENCY: To prepare teachers and helpers to use the room and its various work and play centers for teaching, meetings will be scheduled for talking about techniques to use in managing the materials and the children so all the adults involved are consistent. When everyone is following the same "rules" the children will know what is expected of them. This creates a relaxed play and learn environment, which is the situation in which preschoolers learn best.
Example: I have been in churches where one teacher let the kids run across the tops of the tables and another made them sit in straight rows and listen to her read from the King James version of the Bible. Other teachers were somewhere in between these two extremes. The children were confused from one session to the next as to what they could and could not do because there was no consistency.
This type of confusion creates many discipline problems. For this reason the teachers must plan and develop procedures and daily schedules together.
9. DEPEND UPON GOD: We realize our dependence will be upon God as we give Him control of our lives and invite Him to let His love shine through us to the children He has given into our care. We can never accomplish this in our own strength. We can't. But God can!
10. THE TEACHER'S PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, we do not know just what these children need from us today, but You do! Please teach them through us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
© 2005 by Jodi VanBibber, SUNNY HOLLOW PRESS