Group Time for Preschoolers
Purpose Statement
This is a one-hour conference for preschool Sunday School teachers and leaders. The purpose of this conference is to provide ideas and training for group time for preschoolers.
§ | Choose bright colored fabric or tablecloths to cover the tables. | ||
§ | Use pre-cut or printed letters to spell GROUP TIME. Attach the letters to the wall, using “safe” tape (or attach letters on a strip of poster board). | ||
§ | Display resources on the tables: Read-to-Me Bible (HCSB®), teaching pictures, musical instruments, game supplies, and other resources to use during group time, | ||
§ | CD player | ||
§ | Bible Teaching for Kids: Music and More Enhanced CD | ||
§ | praise and worship music CD |
1. | Copy five group time elements on card stock to use for group activities. (See procedure step 3.) | |
2. | Print handouts: Group Time 101 (Item 1) and Top 10 Tips (Item 2). Place handouts in chairs for conferees. Provide pens or pencils. | |
3. | Display the book Teaching Preschoolers: First Steps Toward Faith.* |
4. | Use a leader guide to make five copies of group time for next week’s session to use for group activities. | |
1. | Play music as the conferees arrive. Guide conferees to form five groups. | |
2. | Greet the conferees and introduce yourself. Read story from Teaching Preschoolers: First Steps Toward Faith*: |
3. | Explain the purpose of group time—group time is the time during a session when the children and teachers come together for group learning experience*. Talk about the hows, whens, and whats of group time. | |
§ | How?—start with the basic parts of group time. | |
1. | Bible story | |
2. | games with Bible content | |
3. | music | |
4. | Bible learning appllied to life experiences | |
5. | reinforcing Bible truth and Bible story |
§ | When?—consider the best time for group time. | |
§ | What?—think about what happens before, during, and after group time. | |
1. | Movement, interactions, and games are all part of group time | |
2. | Although preschoolers are active, they can learn in a group environment. | |
3. | Preschoolers need opportunities to talk about what they have experienced during the session. | |
4. | A variety of music can be used in group time. Songs can be chosen that prepare the way for settling and listening. A teacher may choose one or two fun songs and songs that relate the to biblical content for the session. | |
5. | Using a game at the end of group time can help keep preschoolers’ attention while waiting to transition to next activity or waiting for parents to arrive. | |
6. | Group time length—activities should change every three to five minutes. For example, three-year-olds, 5 to 10 minutes; four-year-olds, 10 to 15 minutes; and five-year-olds and kindergartners, 15 to 20 minutes. Begin the year with a shorter group time, and adjust the length as teachers get to know the preschoolers in the class. | |
7. | Preschoolers can be involved as helpers during group time. | |
8. | Pictures can be used to illustrate a Bible story, explan unfamilar words, or for games such as matching a Bible verse or Bible word to a picture. | |
9. | An age-appropriate Bible should be used in group time. Preschoolers need to be involved in touching and looking at the Bible. | |
4. | Comment: “Now that we’ve covered the basics, I want to give you a good way to remember what we have talked about today.” Guide conferees to complete Group Time 101 (Item 2) handout. |
5. | Conclude the conference with prayer. Thank conferees for attending. Offer to answer any questions or assist people as needed. | |
2. Accept help from volunteers, if needed. | |
3. Re-set room before leaving. | |
4. Express thanks to church staff and others who hosted the conference. | |