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Age-appropriate - Quality Content - Teacher-friendly
Teaching the children, not the material
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 Hi good friend!
Ahh! Summer is (unofficially) here. Our family plans to take our annual trip from Tennessee to Texas to be with my three younger sisters and their families. Over the years, our children have grown up to have families of their own, so it's rare to be able to get everyone together at one time. But we try. I hope you, too, will have time this summer to relax and visit with family and friends.
Live to Give
Life really is all about relationships, and our primary responsibility with children is to give them the skills they need to establish and maintain healthy relationships with God and people, growing "in favor with God and man." But in order to give those skills, we must live those skills. Which means that those of us in the classroom must place a high priority on building relationships with the children we serve. I often ask teachers, "Do you go into the classroom to teach the material or to teach the children?" There's a big difference. Sometimes in our efforts to cover the material, we neglect the children.
What is "age-appropriate"?
My hope is that the curricula I write will encourage teachers to build a positive relationship with children. To help teachers do this, I try to write material that is age-appropriate.  For example, I know that preschoolers don't understand the flow of time, so I don't present the Bible stories in order. Preschoolers are very interested in preschool concepts - mommy and daddy, pets, colors, nature, food, houses and rooms, transportation. So I take preschoolers through Bible stories by using themes to drive the train.
When children start into first and second grade, they better understand "first this happened, then that." Sequence. Time order. Chronology. So I go through the Bible stories in order. There are still themes that relate to daily life, but the story or scripture drives the train. With older children, I do a mixture of both. I'm  convinced that they need an in-depth study of Jesus' life, the most important chronological component for upper elementary grades. But they also need thematic studies - on prayer, worship, other religions, and apologetics (why believe in Jesus).
But other factors make a curriculum age-appropriate, and those factors bring us back to relationship:
- age-appropriate activities
- the conversation or discussion that goes along with the activities.
Curriculum trains the teacher, too
I wrote in my last letter that I hope after teaching each quarter of my curriculum, a teacher will be better trained to teach again. That's because as a teacher does the activities with the children and engages in the discussion included in the activities, she or he learns how to relate to children at that age level, how to talk with children, how to listen to children, and how to enjoy the company of children.
We'll discuss talking with children in the next newsletter. 'Til then: Have a happy June!
Karyn Henley
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Grades 3 thru 5 (ages 8 thru 11)
Foundations
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 FOUNDATIONS for Grades 3 thru 5 includes 8 books which light the fire of a living, growing love for God in children ages 8 through 11. FOUNDATIONS constructs the essential groundwork for building--and sustaining--a loving, thriving relationship with the Lord.
Each quarter can be used independently (in any order) according to the needs of your group.
Each 13-lesson teacher's manual includes:
- reproducible handouts
- Biblical examples of the foundational topic
- small group discovery centers and large group discussions and activities
- creative ideas for students to apply foundational principles in their lives
Find out more...
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Summer-time travel fun for preschoolers
PLAYSONGS™ DVDs and CDs
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A
member of our staff who  has been working part-time at a nationally-known automobile retailer has made the following observation about car buyers.
"Even when gasoline prices are up, families with small children are still buying SUVs and minivans--and one of the most desired accessories is a DVD player for the kids."
Whether you are new to our community of friends, or a long-time acquaintance, Karyn Henley's PLAYSONGS® DVDs and CDs
continue to be a popular item for travel time, fun time, or just about
anytime you need engaging, wholesome entertainment for your little
ones. In this delightful series, Karyn Henley guides young children
(ages 2 thru 5) as they explore God's world around them. [Find out more...]
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Karyn's foundational book
Child-Sensitive Teaching
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 Child-Sensitive Teaching, stresses the importance of "the significant adult," the person who is able to "speak into" the child's life, to affect the child's values. Parents are, of course, the adults of choice. But teachers, grandparents, and family friends can take on these roles as well. How do you know who is a significant adult? Ask these three questions:
1) Who spends time with the child?
2) Who plays (and works at chores) with the child?
3) Who listens (with interest and without judgment) when the child has something to say?
Child-Sensitive Teaching is available in single copies ($10.99) and economical 6 packs ($57.00). [Download sample chapter]...
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Speaking & Exhibitor Events
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More dates are pending. Please check our Events Calendar for updated information. Want to have Karyn present a seminar at your church? Email Ralph Henley or call 1-888.573.3953__________________ |
Our discussion group & Karyn's Blog
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A Karyn Henley Resources discussion forum has been launched at cmconnect.org for friends and users of Karyn's books, videos, curriculum and other materials.
Whether you are a children's pastor, family minister, parent, or educator, you are invited to join in, share your ideas, and let others know about the unique ways you have been using Karyn's materials.
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Visit
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