Leadership

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When I first took over the beginner class, I approached it with some uneasiness. How could I teach them memory verses? My visualized verses all had words. How could I hold their attention? What about discipline?

Now I speak from more experience, albeit not a perfect class, but a good class. I started solo with up to twenty-five scholars. The Lord gave me a helper. Observation taught me. I learned a few valuable tips from my helper. She used lots of action. I started doing the same.

The following pointers may prove helpful in teaching preschoolers.

Keep the Bible Stories Short.
Flannelgraph, flashcards, chalk talks, objects, or other aids can be used to advantage. Variety helps. Personally, I prefer acting out stories for the little folks.

For review the 4's and 5's can act out the story. For example, when Abram moved from Ur to Canaan, we talked about modes of transportation. How did he get there? Did he ride a car? No. Did he fly? No. Did he go in a train or bus? No. He probably walked or rode a donkey.

Later, we acted out the various modes of transportation, and talked about how long it would take. The children remembered this story.

Objects can be effective in teaching these little ones. In sunny weather take a tour around the church property. As a class project collect different objects God has made: flowers, leaves, grasses, and such.

Discuss creation with the children when you return. Who made this? God did. Who made the mountains? God did. Who made you? God. (Boys may find insects to pick up. Discuss their creation outside. You may say, ("We don't have a jar to put these in and they are happier outside. Let's leave them here.¨)

Toy animals can be used in teaching Noah's ark. The children enjoyed imitating different animals after the story.

Toy cars, trucks, trains, and planes can be used to illustrate that Bible people did not have these things. I made a donkey out of pipe cleaners, cardboard, and gray fleece to illustrate that Abraham might have ridden a donkey. The children made donkeys to take home.

One day I took a piece of Play-Doh and built a tower as I taught the lesson, The Tower of Babel. This aroused the children's curiosity. Later, they made their own minature towers and took them home.

Use Song-Games.
We rode a train around the room, singing, We're Going to a Mansion. We got acquainted by forming a bridge, and singing, Heaven Is a Happy Place. The one caught said his name. We varied this theme by having them name the child in front or in back. The same song can be adapted to memory verse review.

Teach Verses by Actions.
We held our hands on our heads, stood on one foot, and other actions, as we repeated our memory verses. Pictures can be used or puppets. Choose simple verses and explain the meaning. Illustrate with stories of children. For instance, He Took My Whipping, illustrates, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8, KJV). The Doll That Grew graphically depicts Be sure your sin will find you out (Numbers 32:23, KJV).

Reinforce with Handwork.
The children in my class loved to color. We did lots of coloring. The handout always has the memory verse printed on it. Include the Scripture reference for the story. In this way a witness goes into each home every week.

We have made Noah's ark, creation booklets, camels with clothespin legs, the Tower of Babel out of Play-Doh, crosses covered with wood-like contact paper, wooly lambs covered with cotton, hearts cut out from construction paper, and other handicraft. Imagination is the limit. Keep it simple for small fingers.

Since I started using handwork and plenty of action, class interest picked up and discipline problems diminished.

Ask for Prayer Requests and Blessings.
Children love to share. This is their chance to talk. Even shy children can sometimes be drawn out in this way. After a brief time of sharing, take time to pray. Be sure to remember any prayer requests, and to mention the blessings in a time of thanksgiving. Then sing an action song and keep 'em moving!

When they get restless, your discipline problems begin. Preschoolers are a lively bunch. But if you keep things moving, and on their level of interest, these live-wires can be reached.

Accepted by Accent Publications for Christian Education Today, for publication in the January 1993 issue. Discontinued with September 1992 issue. Received a kill fee of $20.

Online by Ideas Unlimited, one-time rights, April 2006, Lynn Wallace

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