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 In this parish our children's work is delivered through "Godly Play".
Godly Play is a unique method of facilitating children's spiritual development. A Bible story is told to the children while they sit quietly in a circle. Following the story the children are encouraged to respond to the story through a variety of craft activities. This is then followed by a "feast", a cup of juice and some fruit and biscuits, a few prayers are said and then the children depart.
Godly Play takes place at 9:30am on the second Sunday of each month at St Andrew's church. Please refer to our Calendar of Services for full details.
What makes Godly Play distinctive?
Godly Play is innovative.
- Godly Play re-sacralises the everyday things of the world (e.g. bread, wine, candles, oils, wood, linens, clay) re-teaching a sacramental worldview in a society that is so often utilitarian and materialistic.
- Godly Play teaches children and adults that being quiet, careful and deliberate can be as playful and as satisfying (if different) than being noisy, busy and grabby. This counter cultural message is delivered in a gentle and consistent way.
- Godly Play is not a “rote” or “transfer” method of teaching and learning. It is an experiential “discovery method” which engages the whole child – hands heart, mind, senses and intuition. The best way for children (perhaps all of us) to internalise and retain what we learn.
- Godly Play uses art activities differently from most curricula. Rather than have children create something pre-packaged to show relatives and friends, each child creates an expressive response to what s/he feels, thinks or imagines after “receiving” the story told in a group setting. The children have the opportunity to “enter” the story, to “wonder” about it, and then find and express meaning that connects to their own lives.
- Godly Play combines and integrates two primary gateways to knowing for young children, language (verbal) and play(non-verbal) by providing sensorial and kinaesthetic materials to work in a safe, stimulating environment.
- Godly Play is thoroughly grounded in what we know about child development and children’s learning capacities and styles. Children’s abilities are deeply respected and encouraged. Children are not viewed as small, inefficient adults or as all important little gods/goddesses.
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