Where do we start
A look at some of the material available for work with children
When considering working with children, let us assume that our principle aims are:
- To introduce them to God the Father - the creator, God the Son - Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit - the Helper.
- To present Jesus as Saviour and Friend, to whom the children will want to respond.
- To help them to learn what it means to be, and live as , a Christian.
- To tell the story of God's dealing with his people - in both the Old and New Testaments.
How exactly we set about doing all this depends very largely on individual circumstances, and there will certainly be other schemes which are not mentioned here. Some leaders may be very satisfied with what they already have, but that is no reason for not considering what else there is on the market. Others may feel that it is time for a change but have not yet taken the plunge. Perhaps something in this review will motivate them to make further enquires.
For those who may have doubts about the structure of some material, it is worth remembering that, in producing such schemes, authors and publishers are well aware of the variety of backgrounds from which their customers, both leaders and children, will come.
All the material examined has good biblical content and draws from both Old and New Testaments. Being free from controversial issues, it can be used confidently by a wide spectrum of Christian churches. However, it is obvious that the best results will only be achieved if the leaders and teachers are committed and competent.
Church Pastoral Aid Society,
Athena Drive, Tachbrook Park, Warwick, CV34 6NG. Phone office/sales 01926 334242, Fax 01926 337613, Orderline (24hr ans
|
In addition to the weekly 'routes', each book also contains 1) a programme for a special event (club night/weekend), 2) an article – advice to leaders, 3) practical help with craft and /or visual aids, 4) complete biblically based syllabus. Each session (route) has four pages: p1 for the leader; pp2,3 suggestions for the programme, including choice of music and prayers; p4 photocopiable activity sheet.
Continuing the analogy of a trek, the leader is helped to 'plan the route', 'keep him/herself fit' and 'collect the kit'. The first task, when with the children is to arouse their curiosity. To this end, each programme is headed 'What's the Point?' and anticipates the children asking questions. The necessity for leaders to be well-prepared is emphasized, since children cannot be relied upon to ask the questions for which answers have been jotted down! Activity, stimulation, curiosity, learning and response, in that order, is the weekly lesson-plan.
The material is adaptable (time available, type of premises, ratio of helpers to children etc.) so, given one good, presumably experienced, 'over-all' leader, the material is detailed enough to help and encourage those who have not had so much experience. Regular leaders' meetings are envisaged and the amount of help and advice - though at first sight a little overwhelming - is well planned and should motivate both leaders and children to want to explore further.
COMPASS 11-14 15 books, each contains two topics, divided into four undated sessions.
Cost is the same as for the younger age groups. Leaders' books contain advice/hints, and each week there are sections on the aim, teaching content, suitable activities - and a space for leader's own assessment of the session.
This is challenging, instructive material with plenty of opportunity for activity and discussion based on the interests of today's teenagers. Warning: only those leaders fully acquainted with this age-group should attempt to handle them - even with its helpful material!
Both Trek and Compass are printed clearly on good paper. Black and white print only ensures good photocopying. The illustrations are humerous, cartoon-style, bordering on the grotesque - for all ages.
Other publications from CPAS include the 'Tool Bag' series for leaders of children/youth groups, and many others on such subjects as youth and children, evangelism, worship, parenting, strategy and leadership, small groups ...
CYFA Houseparty and CYFA Pathfinder Specialist Ventures Ltd are also contractible at the address given at the top of this section.
Scripture Union,
207-209 Queensway, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK2 2EB
Phone. Office/sales 01908 856000
For samples: SU, Freepost (BS8 188), Bristol BS4 5BR
For ordering (when you know what you want): SU Mail Order, 9-11 Clothier Road, Bristol BS4 5RL
SALT (Sharing And Learning Together)
|
SALT All Ages, for family services and other occasions £4.00 per book.
The leaders' books, which are printed clearly on good paper, have 'traditional' black and white illustrations. They contain 1) helpful articles for those working with children, 2) a resource section, with further illustrations for use in lessons, 3) the biblical based syllabus for the current quarter, and 4) the syllabus for the following quarter. Each session has 1) Bible focus (including parallel references for the other age groups), 2) Way in - suggestions for activities, 3) Bible story, 4) Life-application of the story, 5) Response - including ideas for music and prayers.
The children's books are printed mainly in colour - giving little opportunity to use one's own colour-schemes - and consist of a tear-out page for each week. There are plenty of puzzles and other activities, illustrated in both 'traditional' and cartoon style. Use is also made of photographs.
Also available, on request, is a leaflet describing the ideas behind the SALT programme under the headings Theological Framework, Faith Development, Scope of the Programme, Context, Syllabus and Content.
As long as the leader recognizes that not all children expect everything to go whizz-bang, allows some opportunity for quieter activity, and understands that some children still like (need) to express themselves in their own way and choose their own colours, then, if a well balanced session is planned (there is plenty to choose from), this syllabus, with its weekly programmes, has much too commend it. The fact that the material is dated need not be a problem - it can even be an advantage.
The temptation to skip the leaders' Bible studies must be resisted at all costs: they are extremely helpful.
It is quite possible to use the subject matter of the children's weekly lessons for the focus of the adult morning service. This creates an obvious link between parents and children without, in any way, making the adult service 'childish'. SALT All Ages is designed for this very purpose
Other SU publications include a wide range of children's books, Bible reading aids, including 'Let's Go' and 'Check it Out', and extra help for leaders such as resources games, music etc. For further up-to-date details, together with titles of new publications, write to the main Bletchley address.
Christian Education Publications,
Anglican Education Commission, Diocese of Sydney, PO Box A287 Sydney South, NSW 1235, Australia. Phone. 00 61 2 9283 2640, Fax 00 61 2 9283 3987
Email. publishing@aec.edu.au Internet. http://www.aec.edu.au
|
Visual Aid packs c.£2.00 per semester. Music cassettes c.£5.00 each, discount for quantity.
Each teachers' book contains a list of the Biblical topics to be covered during the year (two semesters), i.e. teaching notes for each lesson, goals, learning objectives, 'ideas menu', story time, prayer.
Children require two books during the year (one per semester). They are attractive to look at, a good mixture of colour/black and white, and illustrations in 'traditional' style/cartoons.
Currently, this is only available from Australia (carriage extra), but it is hoped to arrange for a UK agent - naturally this will have an effect on the postal charges.
The (photocopied) sample sheets which were supplied give the impression that, for the experienced teacher (this word is still used!), the lesson outlines and ideas for activities are adequate; though, maybe, the less confident teacher could do with a bit extra help.
There are some useful 'after-school' ideas: picnic gatherings, visits to beauty spots, zoos .... This envisages a (church) family group, taking time out together. Good idea? Perhaps idealistic in today's world, but worth aiming at.
If this material becomes more easily available in the UK, it deserves serious consideration by churches. At the moment, possibly busy Sunday School teachers would prefer to continue with familiar material or, if a change is felt necessary, have the opportunity to examine what else is on offer - more locally.
Trowel is published by the Anglican Press Australia (APA), address as for CEP. their catalogue advertises, in addition to Trowel, Connect (School curriculum [Australia] material), music, Kid's Club, children's books, youth group ideas, Bible commentaries and studies, as well as other books and resources.
TnT Ministries,
29 Buxton Gardens, Acton, London W3 9LE Phone. 0181 992 0450
|
Th ere are 55 lessons for the year, to allow for the movement of Easter. Each lesson contains Bible study notes to help the leader, suggestions for visual aids, a story sheet for the child to take home, as well as a choice of activity leaflets. All material is unsophisticated, in black and white, and may be photocopied. Illustrations are a mixture of cartoon (on story sheet) and 'traditional' (on activities).
'TnT' stands for Teaching and Training people to teach the Bible to children. to achieve this aim, there is much emphasis on equipping the leaders. Verse-by-verse Bible study and background information enable them to become familiar with the Bible text, and thus better qualified and more competent to instruct others. This can be of particular help to the non-school teacher who may not be entirely at ease in a teaching situation.
The various activities need careful scrutiny. Occasional adaptations and/or modifications - even simplifications - may be advisable, under certain circumstances. Innovative teachers will find plenty to challenge them! Nevertheless, the material is biblically based, and is straightforward - no gimmicks!
TnT was started because of a concern for the unpreparedness of so many good hearted Sunday School teachers, and the apparent lack of quality facilities to help them. If they are prepared to spend the time, this material should fill that gap.
Go Teach Publications Ltd.,
2 Radford Road, Leamington Spa, Warws CV31 1LX. Phone and Fax. 01926 426573
|
The centre pages of the teachers' quarterly books are pull-out large, black and white illustrations for class use in the 'traditional' style. each lesson consists of sections headed: Preparing your Lesson, Teaching your Lesson, Activity Time. These are straightforward neat and easy to read.
Children's books have one pull-out page per lesson, including pictures to cut out, questions, puzzles, daily reading and Bible verses to learn. Young Teens also have missionary topics, biographies, Bible searches and tests. All the children's books are printed on poor quality, 'see-through' paper (economy?) ruling out the use of felt pens.
It is a pity that, in spite of being redesigned (Go Teach was 50 years old in 1996), this excellent material still looks 'old fashioned'. For children who have already had contact with the highly coloured, 'fast-moving' material produced by others, this will seem, at first sight, rather boring. But, in the hands of an enthusiastic leader, with plenty of 'go', vision, time, and a good team prepared to do a bit of independent thinking and to come up with some original ideas for activities, this scheme, with its biblically-based syllabus, could offer a good solid framework. the fact that material is supplied for each child, and must not be photocopied is a disadvantage - but a time saver!
Also produced is material designed for Holiday Clubs: 'Planning a Holiday Club' and 'Holiday Club' packs.
Bible Educational Services,
Watergate Street, Bandon, Co. Cork, Rep. of Ireland.
Phone. General enquiries 00 353 21 272524 Orders 00 353 50 221042
|
A ll m aterial is undated and one set is required by each child every month - photocopying is prohibited. Clearly printed on white paper, these school - work-book - format lessons are illustrated in cartoon style. Primaries and Juniors have a Bible reading, story, activity and application. Intermediates and Seniors have reading, questions/work-sheet and Bible search. Gleaners have a detailed closely printed study with blank paper for written response.
Basically, this is material for a postal Bible School (e.g. isolated farming families/communities, mainly in Ireland, but some in Britain). Lessons are despatched monthly and are intended to be completed and returned to BES, or to a group leader. However, in certain circumstances, this scheme could be helpful, when adapted to meet the needs of a scattered country parish with few children, where it is only possible to meet together occasionally.
Making allowances for the brief and unsophisticated way in which this is presented, the material is biblically-based and of sound content - though expressed in a somewhat outdated from.
This is a venture which was started around thirty-seven years ago and includes children's holiday work on certain caravan campsites.
'Lifelines' is a Gospel outreach paper, produced four times a year. Also available are Starter Packs and Follow-on Lessons (Luke) for Intermediate and Seniors, and Manna Bible Lessons for young Christians.
Scripture Press,
SP Trust Ltd, Triangle Business Park, Wendover Road, Stoke Mandeville, Aylesbury, Bucks HP22 5BL Phone 01296 614430, Fax. 01296 614450
From October 1996 the Scripture Press curriculum joined the Bible-in-Life family of Christian resources (David Cook Publishing Co. USA) and therefore all dated material (US editions only, Anglicised versions are no longer available) are despatched from Eastbourne (see below). Other SP resources, books, teaching aids and videos remain available from Aylesbury.
Kingsway Communications Ltd,
Lottbridge Drove, Eastbourne, E. Sx BN23 6NT Phone 01323 410930, Fax 01323 411970
Customer care phone 01323 417394
|
T here is just so much material in this scheme that it becomes quite bewildering and almost impossible to give an objective over-view. Clearly, this American material is well planned and Bible-based, there is a wide variety of activities from which to choose, and the individual work-books and take-home papers are of a high standard. However, it is so detailed that it offers little, or no, scope for either teacher or children to do anything other than 'follow instructions'. What about self-expression or guided independent thinking?
When sending for samples , be very specific about what you want to look at - otherwise you may be swamped!
Many additional publications are available (ask for a catalogue), the most obviously useful being '100 action songs' and 'Parent Pains'.
Children's Video Bible,
16/17 Kingsridge Cleddan, Ladyloan Place, Glasgow G15 8LB
Phone 0141 949 0246, Fax 0141 944 1571
12 videos (6 Old Testament and 6 New Testament) @ £12.99 each, plus p&p.
An extremely useful resource to back up telling of Bible stories. each video comes with a minute-by-minute list of sequences, so it is possible to watch just a very little, at any one time, relevant to the story you are telling. Compared with current commercial productions, some children will say these are boring, especially if they try to watch too much at a sitting - but these videos are not intended to be watched like that. the pictures are 'stills', painted by a Spanish artist in 'traditional' style, the music is occasional and unobtrusive, and the stories are told by one, very pleasant, female voice. When writing, be sure to ask for a complete list of the contents of each video.
The National Society,
Church House, Great Smith Street, London SW18 3NZ
Phone 0171 222 1672, Fax 0171 233 2592
Together with Children Magazine with nine issues a year. Annual Sub £13.50.
Phone for discounts on quantity
Published by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education in association with the Church of England General Synod Board of Education, this magazine '... provides practical, topical resource material on a regular basis for all those involved with the Christian nurture of children up to 13 years old and their families ... aiming to inform and inspire. Although particularly designed for leaders of church-based groups ... it also has much to offer school teachers or clergy leading collective worship in schools'.
Other resources, namely audio-cassettes, picture Bibles and children's individual Bible story books abound - in style and price. Your local Christian Book shop is the best place from where to get up-to-date information.
Author: Hazel Bidewell is a member of FoWS Council. For some years she was responsible for 'Link and Learn', intercontinental Church Society's postal Sunday School for English-speaking children overseas. More recently she was involved in preparing a Christian course for the Worldwide Education Service.
Notes:
- If you are using material which is not mentioned here, and would like information about it to be made available, please write to FoWS, giving details.
- Please do not ask FoWS for samples. Write to the address(es) shown.
- The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Trustees or Council of Fellowship of Word and Spirit.
Hazel Bidewell. published by Fellowship of Word and Spirit January 1997. No part may be reproduced in any form without permission. Editor: Lance Bidewell