How-to Sunday School How-to Sunday School Guide: Curriculum Guide: Curriculum

Workshop for Workshop for Preschool LeadersPreschool Leaders

Foundations for Preschool Foundations for Preschool TeachingTeaching

In Deuteronomy 4:14In Deuteronomy 4:14

God commanded Moses God commanded Moses to teach the Hebrews to teach the Hebrews His commandments.His commandments.

Foundations for Preschool Foundations for Preschool TeachingTeaching

In Joshua 4:20-24In Joshua 4:20-24

The 12 stones were taken out of the Jordan The 12 stones were taken out of the Jordan River at the time the Israelites crossed River at the time the Israelites crossed over on dry land. Joshua said, “When your over on dry land. Joshua said, “When your children ask their fathers in the future, children ask their fathers in the future, ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’ you ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’ you should tell your children, ‘Israel crossed should tell your children, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over.”before you until you had crossed over.”

(HCSB(HCSB®))

Curriculum Curriculum Bible Teaching Bible Teaching

for Babiesfor Babies (Three (Three Bible Bible Teaching for BabiesTeaching for Babies Leader Leader Guides are found inside the Guides are found inside the Leader Pack.)Leader Pack.)

Bible Teaching for Bible Teaching for 1s & 2s1s & 2s

CurriculumCurriculum Bible Teaching forBible Teaching for

3s–Pre-K3s–Pre-K Bible Teaching for Bible Teaching for

KindergartenKindergarten

Common Designs Common Designs Common designs & headings found in the Common designs & headings found in the

Preschool Preschool Family Bible StudyFamily Bible Study series seriesOverview PagesOverview Pages

Leadership MeetingsLeadership MeetingsBonus ActivitiesBonus Activities

PreparationPreparationPersonal Bible StudyPersonal Bible Study

Quick PlanQuick PlanApplying Bible TruthsApplying Bible Truths

Discovering Bible Truths Through Learning Center Discovering Bible Truths Through Learning Center ActivitiesActivities

Learning ApproachesLearning ApproachesExtended Teaching CareExtended Teaching Care

EXTRA!EXTRA!

Additional ChoicesAdditional Choices Preschool Preschool Bible Bible

FoundationsFoundations. . . Is a versatile curriculum for . . . Is a versatile curriculum for

Sunday School, ongoing Sunday School, ongoing discipleship training, special discipleship training, special studies, and anytime preschoolers studies, and anytime preschoolers are at church.are at church.

E-Anytime Anywhere E-Anytime Anywhere PreschoolersPreschoolers

. . . Is available online for you to . . . Is available online for you to download session by session, so download session by session, so that you can pick and choose that you can pick and choose from 52 sessions. Cost is $4.95 from 52 sessions. Cost is $4.95 per session. You will be able to per session. You will be able to make as many copies as you make as many copies as you need to use in your church.need to use in your church.

What is expected of a preschool What is expected of a preschool leader?leader?

Spiritual preparation and Spiritual preparation and reliance on the Holy Spirit’s reliance on the Holy Spirit’s presence presence

Knowledge of the Bible content Knowledge of the Bible content for the sessionfor the session

Knowledge of the childrenKnowledge of the children

Love for the childrenLove for the children

Who might be a potentialWho might be a potentialpreschool leader?preschool leader?

Adults who are active in Sunday SchoolAdults who are active in Sunday School Parents (who teach in a room other Parents (who teach in a room other

than where their child attends)than where their child attends) Grandparents (who teach in a room Grandparents (who teach in a room

other than where their grandchild other than where their grandchild attends)attends)

Single adultsSingle adults

VBS teachersVBS teachers

Respond to loving care at churchRespond to loving care at church Learn to trustLearn to trust Begin to associate the namesBegin to associate the names

of God and Jesus and the of God and Jesus and the Bible with good feelingsBible with good feelings

Enjoy hearing simple songsEnjoy hearing simple songsabout God and Jesusabout God and Jesus

Begin to experience affection and love Begin to experience affection and love for other people besides family membersfor other people besides family members

Spiritual Development of BabiesSpiritual Development of Babies

Spiritual Development of 1sSpiritual Development of 1s Develop attitudes toward churchDevelop attitudes toward church Show strong attachments to teacherShow strong attachments to teacher Show interest in simple Bible truthsShow interest in simple Bible truths

in songs, stories, and pictures in songs, stories, and pictures Can recognize the Bible as aCan recognize the Bible as a

special bookspecial book Can respond with pleasure to theCan respond with pleasure to the

names of God and Jesusnames of God and Jesus Enjoy holding the Bible, turningEnjoy holding the Bible, turning

pages, and looking at pictures in the pages, and looking at pictures in the BibleBible

Spiritual Development of 2sSpiritual Development of 2s

Enjoy holding the Bible, turningEnjoy holding the Bible, turningpages, and looking at pictures inpages, and looking at pictures inthe Biblethe Bible

Recognize the Bible as a special bookRecognize the Bible as a special book Like to hear songs about God and JesusLike to hear songs about God and Jesus Respond to love and patience shown by Respond to love and patience shown by

adultsadults Experience delight in the interesting Experience delight in the interesting

things they see in the natural worldthings they see in the natural world

Spiritual Development of 3sSpiritual Development of 3s

Listen with interest to Bible stories;Listen with interest to Bible stories;can identify some Bible people can identify some Bible people and storiesand stories

Recognize the Bible as a special book; Recognize the Bible as a special book; enjoy handling and using the Bibleenjoy handling and using the Bible

Understand that Jesus is specialUnderstand that Jesus is specialand helped peopleand helped people

Recognize church as a special placeRecognize church as a special place Try to do what pleases adults byTry to do what pleases adults by

showing love and cooperationshowing love and cooperation

Spiritual Development ofSpiritual Development ofPre-KindergartnersPre-Kindergartners

Listen to Bible stories and like to retellListen to Bible stories and like to retellstories in their own wordsstories in their own words

Enjoy games that allow them to findEnjoy games that allow them to findBible verses and identify Bible peopleBible verses and identify Bible people

Remember songs and make up theirRemember songs and make up theirown songsown songs

Recognize that God and Jesus love people Recognize that God and Jesus love people and help people in special waysand help people in special ways

Know that Jesus is special and grew from Know that Jesus is special and grew from a baby to a mana baby to a man

Know that God wants family members to Know that God wants family members to love and to help one anotherlove and to help one another

Spiritual Development of Spiritual Development of KindergartnersKindergartners

Remember and like to tell storiesRemember and like to tell stories Sing songs about God, Jesus, andSing songs about God, Jesus, and

church when alone and in a groupchurch when alone and in a group Use the Bible and like to find BibleUse the Bible and like to find Bible

phrases located with Bible markersphrases located with Bible markers Love God and JesusLove God and Jesus Recognize church as a special place Recognize church as a special place

where people learn about God and Jesuswhere people learn about God and Jesus Like to take care of things in God’s Like to take care of things in God’s

worldworld

Preparing to TeachPreparing to Teach

1.1. Gather your Bible and Gather your Bible and the leader guide. the leader guide. Prepare spiritually by Prepare spiritually by using Personal Bible using Personal Bible Study. Study.

2.2. Read the remaining Read the remaining Bible content for the Bible content for the session, session, the Bible Phrases, the the Bible Phrases, the Bible Story, the Unit Bible Story, the Unit Song, and Applying Song, and Applying

Bible Truths.Bible Truths.

Preparing for the SessionPreparing for the Session Read and become familiar with the Read and become familiar with the Bible Truth,Bible Truth,

Bible Story/Passage, Bible Story/Passage, thethe Key Bible Phrase, Key Bible Phrase, and and the the Life Application.Life Application.

Look at Look at Getting Ready to Teach.Getting Ready to Teach. Become familiar with the activities. (Note differences Become familiar with the activities. (Note differences

in the 1s & 2s.)in the 1s & 2s.) Make a list of the items you need to purchase or bring Make a list of the items you need to purchase or bring

from home.from home. Determine where you will place these materials in the Determine where you will place these materials in the

room.room. Prepare the learning environment.Prepare the learning environment. Include ETC teachers in your planning and Include ETC teachers in your planning and

communicate with teachers about available resources communicate with teachers about available resources and materials.and materials.

Preparing for the Session Preparing for the Session (Continued)(Continued)

Additional preparation for 3s–Additional preparation for 3s–Kindergarten: Kindergarten: Print items from the Print items from the Music for 3s–Pre-KMusic for 3s–Pre-KCD and CD and Music forMusic for Kindergarten Kindergarten CD.CD.Prepare group-time resources and plans.Prepare group-time resources and plans.

Identify ways the activity and materials Identify ways the activity and materials may be used as you make your choice of may be used as you make your choice of learning centers.learning centers.

Approaches to Learning–LogicalApproaches to Learning–Logical

A child may . . .A child may . . . Enjoy problem-solvingEnjoy problem-solving See patterns in the world and be See patterns in the world and be

able to can reason through difficult able to can reason through difficult situationssituations

Enjoy games and puzzlesEnjoy games and puzzles Understand concepts of “less-than”Understand concepts of “less-than”

and “same as”and “same as”

Approaches to Learning–MusicApproaches to Learning–Music

A child may . . .A child may . . . Enjoy musical experiencesEnjoy musical experiences Be sensitive to rhythm and pitchBe sensitive to rhythm and pitch Be a good listenerBe a good listener Enjoy singing and moving to a variety Enjoy singing and moving to a variety

of musicof music Learn new songs quicklyLearn new songs quickly Make up his own songsMake up his own songs Enjoy playing musical instruments and Enjoy playing musical instruments and

performing for othersperforming for others

Approaches to Learning–NaturalApproaches to Learning–Natural

A child may . . .A child may . . . Enjoy the beauty of God’s creationEnjoy the beauty of God’s creation

Easily identify the elements of the natural Easily identify the elements of the natural worldworld

Enjoy stories that allude to elements of Enjoy stories that allude to elements of naturenature

Like to explore and investigate God’s worldLike to explore and investigate God’s world

Enjoy taking care of God’s worldEnjoy taking care of God’s world

Approaches to Learning–PhysicalApproaches to Learning–Physical

A child may . . .A child may . . . Be very active and coordinatedBe very active and coordinated Enjoy playing out a storyEnjoy playing out a story Learn through hands-on activitiesLearn through hands-on activities Like to use skills in games and Like to use skills in games and

dramatic playdramatic play Enjoy using her entire body Enjoy using her entire body

Approaches to Learning–ReflectiveApproaches to Learning–Reflective

A child may . . .A child may . . . Understand who he is and how he Understand who he is and how he

feelsfeels

Want to work alone at timesWant to work alone at times

Choose activities that allow for self-Choose activities that allow for self-expressionexpression

Internalize concepts by personalizing Internalize concepts by personalizing themthem

Approaches to Learning–VerbalApproaches to Learning–Verbal

A child may . . .A child may . . . Enjoy being read to, dictating, or Enjoy being read to, dictating, or

writingwriting

Like to speak and listenLike to speak and listen

Like the sounds of wordsLike the sounds of words

Have a large vocabularyHave a large vocabulary

Enjoy stories, poems, and jokesEnjoy stories, poems, and jokes

Approaches to Learning–VisualApproaches to Learning–Visual

A child may . . .A child may . . . Enjoy creating her own pictures and Enjoy creating her own pictures and

visual representations of her own visual representations of her own learninglearning

Like to interact with teaching pictures Like to interact with teaching pictures Enjoy picture reading booksEnjoy picture reading books Hear stories and visualize the events Hear stories and visualize the events

through word picturesthrough word pictures

Approaches to Learning–RelationalApproaches to Learning–Relational

A child may . . .A child may . . . Be highly socialBe highly social Make friends easilyMake friends easily Be a very good talkerBe a very good talker Recognize how others feel and be able Recognize how others feel and be able

to respond accordinglyto respond accordingly Be drawn to activities that allow her Be drawn to activities that allow her

to cooperate and to interact with to cooperate and to interact with others.others.

Teaching the Bible TruthTeaching the Bible Truth

When and where will you use Bible phrases, When and where will you use Bible phrases, songs,songs,and conversation about the biblical content?and conversation about the biblical content?

Where will the leader pack items be used?Where will the leader pack items be used? Are teachers assigned to a particular Bible-Are teachers assigned to a particular Bible-

learning center(s)?learning center(s)? Are teachers prepared and ready to teach Are teachers prepared and ready to teach

when the first child arrives?when the first child arrives?

Teaching TipsTeaching Tips

Use the child’s name frequently when Use the child’s name frequently when you sing or talk to him.you sing or talk to him.

Be consistent as you model behavior.Be consistent as you model behavior. Provide a child opportunities to make Provide a child opportunities to make

choices.choices. Incorporate Bible conversation, verses, Incorporate Bible conversation, verses,

and songs throughout the session.and songs throughout the session. Display and use the Bible.Display and use the Bible. Reassure a child when he is anxious.Reassure a child when he is anxious.

Teaching TipsTeaching Tips

Encourage the child who is trying Encourage the child who is trying something for the first time.something for the first time.

Give praise to a child when he does Give praise to a child when he does something to help another child.something to help another child.

Sing frequently and include the child’s Sing frequently and include the child’s namenamein the song.in the song.

Use prayer when appropriate.Use prayer when appropriate. Share the Bible story in the learning Share the Bible story in the learning

centers.centers.

Teaching TipsTeaching Tips

Relate Bible truths in each activity.Relate Bible truths in each activity. Plan for success and satisfaction.Plan for success and satisfaction. Encourage boys and girls to work Encourage boys and girls to work

together.together. Use Bible conversation often to Use Bible conversation often to

reinforcereinforceBible learning.Bible learning.

Transitioning to ETCTransitioning to ETC

Prepare the room for ETC teachers.Prepare the room for ETC teachers. Make available take-home pages for new Make available take-home pages for new

children who are arriving.children who are arriving. Greet parents who are picking up their Greet parents who are picking up their

children.children. Greet children who are arriving with their Greet children who are arriving with their

parents.parents. Reflect on the session. Were you able to Reflect on the session. Were you able to

impact the life of a child?impact the life of a child?

Teaching ContinuesTeaching Continues

Distribute the parent portion of Distribute the parent portion of learner guides to parents at the learner guides to parents at the beginning of the quarter.beginning of the quarter.

Send a card to the child.Send a card to the child.

Make a phone call during the week.Make a phone call during the week.

Remind a child of the Bible story or Remind a child of the Bible story or a Bible phrase in a positive way.a Bible phrase in a positive way.

I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give Christ, the glorious Father, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened eyes of your heart may be enlightened

so you may know what is the hope of His so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of calling, what are the glorious riches of

His inheritance among the saints.His inheritance among the saints.

Ephesians 1: 17-18 (HCSBEphesians 1: 17-18 (HCSB®))