Sheryl Haystead loved teaching kids God's Word. These writings are from her last years of teaching Sunday School and are full of wisdom and compassion for the little ones Jesus loves so dearly--Sheryl loved them, too.
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Sunday, August 14, 2011

Small Scientists

As the class of preschoolers ended today, big brothers and sisters slipped into the classroom while parents chatted. The attention of the older kids was immediately hooked by the fun art activity the preschoolers had experienced. The preschool teacher had put a variety of colorful substances into re-sealable baggies (double sealed with masking tape!). There were bags of ketchup, mustard and chocolate pudding. The preschoolers and big kids both had so much fun drawing designs with their fingers, writing letters, swirling and smoothing out the bags—and all without a bit of mess!

Sometimes I fall into the trap of thinking that in this high-tech world, kids need electronics to keep their attention. But for the kids I observed today, the adventure of creating and discovering was all the fun they needed. Children are small scientists: for them, art materials are not a means to make a pretty product by adult standards, but the means to discover what happens when materials are arranged and rearranged again and again.

God is the author of such creativity! He has given each child the capacity to create and express. Occasionally, a child will ask, “Can you draw it for me?” A wise teacher once told me her response to such a question: “I don’t know how to make the one you are thinking about.” Value each child’s creativity—and look for ways you can nurture and encourage the unique way God has made each young child in your care.

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