Teach to Transform

1. Teach to Transform Compiled by Ed Gilman

2. Because preschoolers need love and acceptance Leaders speak in a loving manner, call each child by name, and accept the child’s ideas.

3. Because preschoolersare active… Leaders arrange rooms with space and allow children to move freely around the room.

4. Because preschoolersenjoy repetition… Leaders repeat Bible verses and phrases, portions of the Bible story, and application of biblical truths.

5. Because preschoolers learn by doing and experiencing… Leaders use activities that provide firsthand, hands-on experiences.

6. Because preschoolersuse all of their senseswhen learning… Leaders supply materials that the children can manipulate and explore safely in different ways.

7. Because preschoolersneed guidance… Leaders enforce limits consistently and lovingly, guiding behavior into positive directions.

8. Because preschoolersimitate others… Leaders model desired behavior.

9. Because preschoolers are building relationships… Leaders provide situations for children to interact.

10. Because preschoolersare discoveringhow to work with others… Leaders encourage them to find positive ways to resolve conflicts.

11. Because preschoolers have short attention spans… Leaders provide open-ended activities and allow children to choose what they want to do, allowing children to learn in the ways God gifted them to learn.

12. Because preschoolersare discovering whoGod and Jesus are… Leaders use the names of God and Jesus often.

13. Because preschoolers need to discover what the Bible is… Leaders provide opportunities for preschoolers to hold and use the Bible and relate the words of the Bible to the child’s actions and the child’s life.

14. Because preschoolersare discovering their unique gifts and abilities… Leaders provide a variety of appropriate activities and the freedom to choose.

15. Because preschoolers need to feel secure to learn… Leaders are consistent in attendance and use a stable routine.

16. Because preschoolers need to be successful… Leaders offer activities that are challenging, not too difficult or too simple.

17. Because preschoolersare creative… Leaders supply materials and activities that allow children to express their own ideas.

18. Because preschoolers use different approachesto learn… Leaders become familiar with each preschooler and plan activities to meet the learning needs of each child.

19. Because preschoolerslearn through play… Leaders provide activities that lead preschoolers to encounter biblical truths.

20. Spiritual Development of Babies • Respond to loving care at church. • Learn to trust. • Begin to associate the nameof God, Jesus, and the Biblewith good feelings. • Enjoy hearing simple songsabout God and Jesus. • Begin to experience affection and love for other people besides family members.

21. Spiritual Development of 1s • Develop attitudes toward church. • Can recognize the Bible as a specialbook. • Can respond with pleasure to thenames of God and Jesus. • Enjoy holding the Bible, turningpages, and looking at pictures in the Bible. • Show strong attachments to teacher. • Show interest in simple Bible truths in songs, stories, and pictures.

22. Spiritual Development of 2s • Enjoy holding the Bible, turningpages, and looking at pictures inthe Bible. • Recognize the Bible as a special book. • Like to hear songs about God and Jesus. • Respond to love and patience shown by adults. • Experience delight in the interesting things they see in the natural world.

23. Spiritual Development of 3s • Recognize church as a special place. • Try to do what pleases adults byshowing love and cooperation. • Understand that Jesus is specialand helped people. • Listen with interest to Bible stories; can identify some Bible characters and stories. • Recognize the Bible as a special book; enjoy handling and using the Bible.

24. Spiritual Development ofPre-Kindergartners • Listen to Bible stories and like to retell stories in their own words. • Enjoy games that allow them to findBible verses and identify Bible characters. • Remember songs and make up theirown songs. • Recognize that God and Jesus love people and help people in special ways. • Know that Jesus is special and grew from a baby to a man. • Know that God wants family members to love and help one another.

25. Spiritual Development of Kindergartners • Remember and like to tell stories. • Sing songs about God, Jesus, andchurch when alone and in a group. • Use the Bible and like to find Biblephrases located with markers. • Love God and Jesus. • Recognize church as a special place where people learn about God and Jesus. • Like to take care of things in God’s world.

26. Approaches toLearning–Logical A child may: • Enjoy problem-solving; • See patterns in the world and be able to can reason through difficult situations; • Enjoy games and puzzles; and • Understand concepts of “less-than”and “same as.”

27. Approaches toLearning–Music A child may: • Enjoy musical experiences; • Be sensitive to rhythm and pitch; • Be a good listener; • Enjoy singing and moving to a variety of music; • Learn new songs quickly; • Make up his own songs; and • Enjoy playing musical instruments and performing for others;

28. Approaches to Learning– Natural A child may: • Enjoy the beauty of God’s creation; • Easily identify the elements of the natural world; • Enjoy stories that allude to elements of nature; • Like to explore and investigate God’s world; and • Enjoy taking care of God’s world.

29. Approaches to Learning– Physical A child may: • Be very active and coordinated; • Enjoys playing out a story; • Learn through hands-on activities; • Like to use skills in games and dramatic play; and • Enjoy using her entire body.

30. Approaches to Learning–Reflective A child may: • Understand who he is and how they feel; • Want to work alone at times; • Choose activities that allow for self-expression; and • Internalize concepts by personalizing them.

31. Approaches to Learning– Verbal A child may: • Enjoy being read to, writing or dictating; • Like to speak and listen, like the sounds of words, have a large vocabulary; and • Enjoy stories, poems, and jokes.

32. Approaches to Learning– Visual A child may: • Enjoy creating her own pictures and visual representations of her own learning; • Like to interact with teaching pictures and picture reading a book; and • Hear stories and visualize the events through word pictures.

33. Approaches to Learning– Relational A child may: • Be highly social; • Make friends easily; • Be a very good talker; • Recognize how others feel and be able to respond accordingly; and • Be drawn to activities that allow her to cooperate and interact with others.

34. Teaching Tips • Use the child’s name frequently when you sing or talk to him. • Be consistent as you model behavior. • Provide a child opportunities to make choices. • Reassure the child when he is anxious. • Display and use the Bible. • Incorporate Bible conversation, verses and songs throughout the session.

35. Teaching Tips • Encourage the child who is trying something for the first time. • Give praise to the child when he does something to help another child. • Use prayer when appropriate. • Sing frequently and include the child’s name in the song. • Share the Bible story in the learning centers.

36. Teaching Tips • Relate Bible truths and the life impact statement in each activity. • Encourage boys and girls to work together. • Plan for success and satisfaction. • Use Bible conversation often to reinforce Bible learning.

37. After the Session • Reflect: were you able to impact the life of the child? • Greet parents who are picking up their children, and greet children who are arriving with their parents. • Send a card to the child during the week. • Make a phone call during the week. • Remind a child of the Bible story or a Bible phrase in a positive way.

38. Responsibilities of the Preschool Division Director The division director is responsible to the Sunday School director for the total ministry of the Preschool Sunday School Division. The division director: • Meets regularly with the Sunday School Planning Team. • Coordinates the work of the Division & develops the organization. • Discovers, enlists, and trains new leaders. • Evaluates, encourages, affirms, and directs leaders. • Meets regularly with leaders for planning and evaluation. • Oversees the coordination of FIRST CONTACT (a ministry to expectant parents). • Evaluates the needs of the division & recommends actions related to space, budget, curriculum, supplies, & other resources. • Sets a positive example by being a witness of Christ and through full involvement in the ministry of the church.

39. Preschool Division Outreach-Evangelism Director The division outreach-evangelism director works with the division director and the church outreach-evangelism director to lead the Preschool Division in outreach and evangelism. The division outreach-evangelism director: • Serves as a FAITH Group Leader or Team Leader (for churches using the FAITH Sunday School Evangelism Strategy). • Coordinates all evangelism and outreach activities and prospect-discovery efforts for the Preschool Division. • Assists in training leaders& teachers in evangelism & outreach. • Promotes outreach & evangelism objectives with leaders and teachers. • Maintains active prospect records for the division. • Greets visiting preschooler families and assists in locating the appropriate preschool departments. • Coordinates FIRST CONTACT or works closely with the coordinator to make sure those families with infants ministry of the church. • Sets a positive example by being a witness of Chris and through full involvement in the ministry of the church.

40. Preschool Department Director A department director is responsible to the division director for the total ministry of a class/department. A preschool department director: • Leads in planning and administering the total work of the class/dept. • Meets regularly with teachers for prayer, planning, and making assignments related to evangelism and outreach, fellowship, ministry, and Bible teaching. • Greets preschoolers and families when they arrive. • Serves as team leader for the class/department, directing overall Bible-learning experiences. • Leads group learning experiences (for preschooler three and older.) • Maintains general records for the class/department. (Some classes/dept may choose to enlist a secretary for record-keeping) • Evaluates the needs of the class/department and recommends actions related to space, budget, curriculum, supplies, and other resources. • Sets a positive example by being a witness of Christ and through full involvement in the ministry of the church.

41. Preschool Teacher A preschool teacher: • Prepares and leads Bible-learning centers/activities for foundational Bible teaching. • Builds positive relationships with preschoolers and families • Contacts members, prospects, and families regularly to meet needs. • Leads parents toward faith in Jesus Christ and guides them to serve Him through worship, evangelism, ministry, discipleship, and worship. • Sets a positive example by living as an authentic witness of Christ and through full involvement in the ministry of the church.