Educational principles
The Gather 'Round curriculum has some fundamental understandings about children and the role that teachers can play in nurturing faith formation.
- Children are spiritual beings created by God, who knows us, loves us, and invites us into relationship even before we are conscious of God. Children can be in relationship with God even though they may not be able to articulate their understanding of God.
- Teachers accept and honor each child. They help children develop their relationships with God. Teachers share the biblical story and lead children in response activities that nurture faith and a relationship with the Christian community. Teachers also accommodate children's ways of learning in their teaching methods.
The following chart describes ways in which children learn and how Gather 'Round teachers can facilitate that learning.
| Ways children learn: |
How teachers facilitate learning: |
| Children learn through play. Play provides a context for learning concepts and developing social skills. |
Teachers create an environment in which creative play is welcomed. |
| Children learn through active imagination. As they imagine themselves in new situations, they develop self-confidence in new ways to live and be. |
Teachers provide opportunities for children to make connections between the Bible stories and their own life experiences. |
| Children learn through experiences with people of all ages. As they relate to peers and others, they learn what it means to belong. In building relationships, children learn to meet God in the midst of the community of faith. |
Teachers provide a learning environment that is safe for children and gives them a sense of belonging. Teachers model a maturing Christian faith in actions and speech. |
| Children learn through active engagement with symbols and rituals. The "drama" of worship and repetitive activity teaches the language of the community. |
Teachers engage children in the language and habits of worship. Prayer, silence, and ritual are regular parts of the learning experience. |
| Children learn in different ways. They learn best when allowed to use their preferred learning style or intelligence. With appropriate encouragement, they can strengthen a variety of ways of knowing. |
Teachers provide a variety of experiences, such as art, drama, movement, music, discussion, journaling, silence, and nature activities to engage children in their best learning styles and encourage them to expand their ways of understanding. |
| Children learn to reflect on society from a Christian perspective in different ways at each age level. |
Teachers engage children in age-appropriate ways of wondering and interacting with the biblical story. |
| Children learn by telling others about their experience of knowing God and knowing about God. |
Teachers give children the language needed to articulate their faith experiences appropriately with family, friends, and neighbors. |
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© 2010 Gather ’Round
