Godly Play and Young Children & Worship

Godly Play is a term coined by Jerome Berryman to describe an approach to children's spiritual formation that is based on the stories of faith. It was originally created in 1972 following the Montessori approach to education. Having been developed in America it is now used worldwide.

The stories are told simply, with simple props, and without interpretation or moral instruction. After a story is presented, the children and the storyteller 'wonder' together about aspects of the story that draw their interest. For instance, with the parable of the Good Shepherd, they might wonder how the sheep felt as they followed the shepherd, whether the sheep have names, or how it might feel to be inside the sheepfold.

After a time of exploring the story with wondering, the story is put away, the children choose art supplies they would like to work with and they spend some time creating whatever they choose in response to what they feel is most important in the story or most interesting.

They then share the feast, such as juice, fruit or biscuits and say their goodbyes.

We have the following material but please phone to check its availability

AUTUMN SEASON

The Circle of the Church Year. The Holy Family. Creation. The Flood and the Ark. Exodus. The Ark and the Tent. Exile and Return. The Great Family. 10 Best Ways to Live. The Ark and the Temple. Jonah.

WINTER SEASON

Advent. The Mystery of Christmas. The Holy Family Figures. Parable of the Good Shepherd. Parable of the Good Samaritan. Parable of the Great Pearl. Parable of the Sower. Parable of the Mustard Seed.

SPRING SEASON

The Mystery of Easter (Lenten Cross Puzzle). The Faces of Easter. Jesus and the Twelve. The Good Shepherd and World Communion. The Last Supper. Jesus and the Storm (From Young Children & Worship). The Mystery of Pentecost. The Journey (From Young Children and Worship) which includes the stories of Jesus and the Children, Jesus and Bartimaeus, Jesus and Zacchaeus, Jesus the King and The Road to Emmaus.