| Reaching out to preschool parents |
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Preschool parents may have special needs. Many are just beginning the process of nurturing a child's faith formation, or may be new to church or feel apprehensive about leaving their child in the care of someone they don't know well. Here are some suggestions for reaching out to them:
1. From time to time, invite a parent or caregiver to participate in the preschool class along with the child. This gives parents of young children an opportunity to work with the Gather 'Round resources, and to become acquainted with their child's classmates.
 2. Encourage preschool parents to be involved with guiding their child's faith learning at home by providing a copy of Connect, the Bible study guide for parents and caregivers. Be sure to show them the brief devotions for parents included after each session.
3. Ask preschool parents to arrive about 10 minutes before the end of the session on the last day of the quarter. Help the children recite the memory verse for their parents, or share a favorite song or art project from the quarter. Then give each child his or her copy of My Bible Storybook. Ask children to mark or place a sticker on two or three of the stories they would like to read again with their parents at home.
Reminder: February 22 is the last day of the Winter quarter. |
| Told a good Bible story lately? |
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The writer Madeleine L'Engle said, "Jesus was not a theologian. He was God who told stories." Gather 'Round is a Bible-centered curriculum. Each session is based solidly in a Bible text and story. Are children and youth in your congregation hearing the story told with vitality and inspiration? Chapter 8 of the Gather 'Round Handbook, called "Teaching Made Easy," offers a wealth of creative ideas for learning the Bible story, as well as suggestions on how to tell the story effectively and how to help your group relate to it.
Read an excerpt from Chapter 8 here.
Share this information and other ideas from the Handbook with new and seasoned teachers alike. Encourage teachers in all age groupings to take the time to prepare and present the Bible story well. Challenge one another to think of new ways to read, tell, and teach Bible stories to children and youth. |
