Play! Listen! Talk!

We didn't really have signs of spring in our class today--but we had our bright yellow Daffodil duck puppet who always brightens up our room and children's faces.

It's so amazing to me the interest that can be attracted by one friendly puppet, even when used by a teacher who isn't skilled with puppets. Today Daffodil was scared by a loud noise. Gradually throughout the class a child here and there would talk about his or her own fears--storms and big dogs were at the top of the list. We acted out (over and over) the Bible story of Jesus showing His power and love by stilling the storm and the disciples' fears. I'm praying that the message of this lesson sticks close to these children.

What I learned today: Doing anything with water or beanbags are sure-fire methods for involving children. And even when I had tired of repeating these fun play activities--the kids hadn't! As adults, we often think "once and done." But not preschoolers--repetition really is the way they learn best!

If you had been in our Sunday School class today, you would have heard the sound of many voices:

• "Teacher Sheryl, can I show you what I made?"
• "Let's go on a music parade and sing about God's great love."
• "Thank you for waiting your turn to open the flap."
• "Look at the colors on my flowers."
• "We build with blocks instead of kicking them."
• "Can you help me write my name?"
• "Teacher, you forgot about me. I've been waiting for a turn."
• "If you want to play this balloon game, catch the balloon before you tap it back to me."
• "We fold our hands and close our eyes when we pray to help us remember who we are talking to."

• "I will sing of the Lord's great love forever" (Psalm 89:1)

I hope that the echo of God's Word keeps sounding throughout all our lives this week.

Five equals ten? What kind of math is that? It's the kind of math that multiplies 5 kids by Christmas excitement to equal 10!

We were busy with lots of playing and talking (maybe a little short on listening) as we hunted for Christmas bows, built with blocks and acted out the story of Jesus' birth. We said the Bible verse with hands shaped like megaphones and circled happy faces on our TalkTime papers.

Over and over again we talked about the good news of Jesus' birth that has been multiplied not only in our classroom, but throughout the world.

What I learned today: play dough is a great stress reliever for kids AND their teachers!

"Look at the princess!" the little 4-year-old girl said as she pointed to a picture of Mary in a Nativity scene. I must admit I was a little surprised that she didn't know who Mary was. Surely kids know the story of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus! But as I thought about it, I realized that

• to a young child Christmas most often means Santa Claus and presents, and
• to a young girl, beautiful young women are most often Disney princesses

So while I could lament that our culture crowds out Jesus and His birth, especially at this season, or I could be dismayed that her parents haven't told the good news of Jesus, I was so glad to be the one who could say, "Mary looks like a princess, doesn't she. But she was even more special than a princess! She was the mother of Jesus. And at Christmas we get to celebrate and do lots of special things because we remember that Jesus was born."

I wonder how many other opportunities I'll have in Sunday School to help kids hear the true Christmas Story.

At first glance, our class today had our full share of real-life challenges. Despite our best preparation, we had kids:

• •Kicking the blocks, instead of building with them
• •Using a sling as a Star Wars weapon
• •Feeling frustrated because a younger child was trying to play with them
• •Complaining “I didn’t get a turn” “I can’t see”
• •Overturning buckets of toys

As a teacher, it’s easy to view discipline problems or challenging behavior as the things that stop you from teaching “the lesson.” Today, it was cool to get to the end of class and realize that as teachers we’re walking and talking examples of kindness in responding to discipline problems. I was teaching the lesson of "Be kind to one another" with my actions more than my words ever could!

What I learned today: Kindly but firmly telling kids what to START doing instead of focusing on what to STOP doing really does work to guide behavior.

Everything I need to know, I learned in kindergarten! Well, at least today, everything kids need to know to get along with others was discovered in Sunday School! You see, Buddy our favorite dog puppet had a big problem getting along with his friend Scruffy. When the kids were asked what he should do to be friends again, the answers came without hesitation:

• “kiss and hug and be friends” from sweet Hayden,
• “just start playin’ again” from practical Jaeda and
• “you have to say you’re sorry” from wise Cole.

These are wise words of advice from preschoolers who are figuring out every day what it means to “Do good to all people” (Galatians 6:10)—even when unkindness has been shown.

What I learned today: even though we don't talk about memorizing them, our Bible verses stick with the kids! One mom told me that her son asked for her help in cleaning up his toys because “the Bible says ‘With love help each other.’” I’m sure he learned it’s a two-way street!

Count Your Blessings

On this Sunday, a few weeks before Thanksgiving, it seemed only right that we spent a lot of time counting in our Sunday School class today. We counted: people in our friendship chain, people in our poster, the number of balls friends helped each other balance and carry, the “gifts” we gave each other in gift bags and the friends in our class.

Looking back on it, I’m also counting the hugs received and given in class: Madeleine’s hug that always warms my heart, Jonathon’s and Dodge’s hugs as they proclaimed in unison "we're best friends" and even the hugs Daffodil the puppet received from her preschool fans. So maybe our Bible verse "A friend loves at all times" could be paraphrased this way for preschoolers: "A friend hugs at all times."