Teach to Transform

Teach Teach to to

TransformTransform

Teach Teach to to

TransformTransform

Altamaha / New SunburyAltamaha / New SunburyBaptist AssociationBaptist Association

COMPILED BY:JIM ELLIOTT

Because preschoolers need love and acceptance

Because preschoolers need love and acceptance

Leaders speak in a loving manner, call each child by name, and accept the

child’s ideas.

Because preschoolersare active…

Because preschoolersare active…

Leaders arrange rooms with space and allow children to move freely around

the room.

Leaders arrange rooms with space and allow children to move freely around

the room.

Because preschoolersenjoy repetition…

Because preschoolersenjoy repetition…

Leaders repeat Bible verses and phrases, portions of the Bible story, and application of biblical

truths.

Because preschoolers learn by doing and

experiencing…

Because preschoolers learn by doing and

experiencing…

Leaders use activities that provide firsthand, hands-on experiences.

Leaders use activities that provide firsthand, hands-on experiences.

Because preschoolersuse all of their senseswhen learning…

Because preschoolersuse all of their senseswhen learning…

Leaders supply materials that the children can manipulate and explore safely in different ways.

Leaders supply materials that the children can manipulate and explore safely in different ways.

Because preschoolersneed guidance…

Because preschoolersneed guidance…

Leaders enforce limits

consistently and lovingly,

guiding behaviorinto positive directions.

Because preschoolersimitate others…

Because preschoolersimitate others…

Leaders modeldesired

behavior.

Because preschoolers are building relationships…

Because preschoolers are building relationships…

Leaders provide situations for children to interact.

Leaders provide situations for children to interact.

Because preschoolersare discovering

how to work with others…

Because preschoolersare discovering

how to work with others…

Leaders encourage them to find positive ways to resolve

conflicts.

Leaders encourage them to find positive ways to resolve

conflicts.

Because preschoolers have short attention spans

Because preschoolers have short attention spans

Leaders provide open-Leaders provide open-ended activities and ended activities and

allow children to allow children to choose what they want choose what they want to do, allowing children to do, allowing children

to learn in the ways to learn in the ways God gifted them to God gifted them to

learn.learn.

Leaders provide open-Leaders provide open-ended activities and ended activities and

allow children to allow children to choose what they want choose what they want to do, allowing children to do, allowing children

to learn in the ways to learn in the ways God gifted them to God gifted them to

learn.learn.

Because preschoolersare discovering whoGod and Jesus are…

Because preschoolersare discovering whoGod and Jesus are…

Leaders use the Leaders use the names of God names of God

and Jesus often.and Jesus often.

Leaders use the Leaders use the names of God names of God

and Jesus often.and Jesus often.

Because preschoolers need to discover what

the Bible is…

Because preschoolers need to discover what

the Bible is…

Leaders provide Leaders provide opportunities for opportunities for preschoolers to hold preschoolers to hold and use the Bible and and use the Bible and relate the words of relate the words of the Bible to the the Bible to the child’s actions and child’s actions and the child’s life.the child’s life.

Leaders provide Leaders provide opportunities for opportunities for preschoolers to hold preschoolers to hold and use the Bible and and use the Bible and relate the words of relate the words of the Bible to the the Bible to the child’s actions and child’s actions and the child’s life.the child’s life.

Because preschoolersare discovering their unique gifts

and abilities…

Because preschoolersare discovering their unique gifts

and abilities…

Leaders provide Leaders provide a variety of a variety of appropriate appropriate

activities and activities and the freedom to the freedom to

choose.choose.

Leaders provide Leaders provide a variety of a variety of appropriate appropriate

activities and activities and the freedom to the freedom to

choose.choose.

Because preschoolers need to feel secure

to learn…

Because preschoolers need to feel secure

to learn…

Leaders are consistent in

attendance anduse a stable

routine.

Leaders are consistent in

attendance anduse a stable

routine.

Because preschoolers need to be successful…

Because preschoolers need to be successful…

Leaders offer activities that Leaders offer activities that

are challenging, not too are challenging, not too difficult or too simple.difficult or too simple.

Leaders offer activities that Leaders offer activities that

are challenging, not too are challenging, not too difficult or too simple.difficult or too simple.

Because preschoolersare creative…

Because preschoolersare creative…

Leaders supplyLeaders supply

materials and materials and activities that activities that allow childrenallow children

to express their to express their own ideas.own ideas.

Leaders supplyLeaders supply

materials and materials and activities that activities that allow childrenallow children

to express their to express their own ideas.own ideas.

Because preschoolers use different approaches

to learn…

Because preschoolers use different approaches

to learn…

Leaders become familiarLeaders become familiar

with each preschooler with each preschooler

and plan activities and plan activities

to meet the learning to meet the learning needs of each child.needs of each child.

Leaders become familiarLeaders become familiar

with each preschooler with each preschooler

and plan activities and plan activities

to meet the learning to meet the learning needs of each child.needs of each child.

Because preschoolerslearn through play… Because preschoolerslearn through play…

Leaders provide Leaders provide activities that lead activities that lead

preschoolers to preschoolers to encounter biblical encounter biblical

truths.truths.

Leaders provide Leaders provide activities that lead activities that lead

preschoolers to preschoolers to encounter biblical encounter biblical

truths.truths.

Spiritual Development of Babies

Spiritual Development of Babies

• Respond to loving Respond to loving

care at church.care at church.

• Learn to trust.Learn to trust.

• Begin to associate Begin to associate the name of God, the name of God, Jesus, and the BibleJesus, and the Biblewith good feelings.with good feelings.

Spiritual Development of Spiritual Development of BabiesBabies

• Enjoy hearing simple Enjoy hearing simple songs about God songs about God and Jesus.and Jesus.

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

Spiritual Development of 1sSpiritual Development of 1s

• Develop attitudes Develop attitudes toward church.toward church.

• Can recognize the Can recognize the Bible as a special book.Bible as a special book.

• Can respond with Can respond with pleasure to the names pleasure to the names of God and Jesus.of God and Jesus.


• Enjoy holding the Bible, Enjoy holding the Bible, turning pages, and turning pages, and looking looking at pictures in the Bible.at pictures in the Bible.

• Show strong attachments Show strong attachments to teacher.to teacher.

• Show interest in simple Show interest in simple Bible truths in songs, Bible truths in songs, stories, and pictures.stories, and pictures.


•Enjoy holding the Enjoy holding the Bible, turning Bible, turning pages, and pages, and looking at pictures looking at pictures in the Bible.in the Bible.

•Experience delight Experience delight in the interesting in the interesting things they see in things they see in the natural the natural world.world.


• Recognize the Bible Recognize the Bible as a special book.as a special book.

• Like to hear songs Like to hear songs about God and Jesus.about God and Jesus.

• Respond to love and Respond to love and patience shown by patience shown by adults.adults.


• Recognize church as Recognize church as a special place.a special place.

• Try to do what pleases Try to do what pleases adults by showing love adults by showing love and cooperation.and cooperation.

• Understand that JesusUnderstand that Jesus is special and helped is special and helped people.people.


• Listen with interest to Listen with interest to Bible stories; can Bible stories; can identify identify some Bible characters some Bible characters and stories.and stories.

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

Spiritual Development ofPre-Kindergartners


• Listen to Bible stories and like Listen to Bible stories and like to retell stories in their own to retell stories in their own words.words.

• Enjoy games that allow them Enjoy games that allow them to find Bible verses and to find Bible verses and identify Bible characters.identify Bible characters.

• Remember songs and make Remember songs and make up their own songs.up their own songs.


• Recognize that God and Recognize that God and Jesus love people and Jesus love people and help people in special ways.help people in special ways.

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

• Know that God wants family Know that God wants family members to love and help one members to love and help one

another.another.

Spiritual Development of Kindergartners

Spiritual Development of Kindergartners

• Remember and like Remember and like to tell stories.to tell stories.

• Sing songs about God, Sing songs about God, Jesus, and church when Jesus, and church when alone and in a group.alone and in a group.

• Use the Bible and like Use the Bible and like to find Bible phrasesto find Bible phrases located with markers. located with markers.

Spiritual Development of Spiritual Development of KindergartnersKindergartners

• Love God and Jesus.Love God and Jesus.

• Recognize church as Recognize church as a special place where a special place where

people learn about people learn about God God and Jesus.and Jesus.

• Like to take care of Like to take care of things in God’s world.things in God’s world.

Approaches to Learning–LogicalApproaches to Learning–Logical

A child may:A child may:• Enjoy problem-solving; Enjoy problem-solving; • See patterns in the world See patterns in the world

and be able to reason and be able to reason through difficult situations;through difficult situations;

• Enjoy games and puzzles; Enjoy games and puzzles; andand

• Understand concepts of Understand concepts of “less-than” and “same “less-than” and “same as.”as.”

Approaches to Learning–MusicApproaches to Learning–Music A child may: A child may:

• Enjoy musical experiences;Enjoy musical experiences;• Be sensitive to rhythm and Be sensitive to rhythm and

pitch;pitch;• Be a good listener;Be a good listener;• Enjoy singing and moving to a Enjoy singing and moving to a

variety of music;variety of music;• Learn new songs quickly;Learn new songs quickly;• Make up his own songs; andMake up his own songs; and• Enjoy playing musical Enjoy playing musical

instruments and performing for instruments and performing for others;others;

Approaches to Learning– NaturalApproaches to Learning– Natural A child may: • Enjoy the beauty of God’s

creation;

• Easily identify the elements of the natural world;

• Enjoy stories that allude to elements of nature;

• Like to explore and investigate God’s world; and

• Enjoy taking care of God’s world.

Approaches to Learning– PhysicalApproaches to Learning– Physical

A child may: A child may: • Be very active and Be very active and

coordinated;coordinated;

• Enjoys playing out a story;Enjoys playing out a story;

• Learn through hands-on Learn through hands-on activities;activities;

• Like to use skills in games Like to use skills in games andanddramatic playdramatic play

• Enjoy using her entire bodyEnjoy using her entire body

Approaches to Learning–ReflectiveApproaches to Learning–Reflective

A child may: A child may: • Understand who he is Understand who he is

and how they feel;and how they feel;

• Want to work alone at Want to work alone at times;times;

• Choose activities that Choose activities that allow for self-allow for self-expression; expression;

• Internalize concepts by Internalize concepts by personalizing them.personalizing them.

Approaches to Learning– VerbalApproaches to Learning– Verbal

A child may: A child may: • Enjoy being read to, Enjoy being read to,

writing or dictating;writing or dictating;

• Like to speak and listen, Like to speak and listen, like the sounds of words, like the sounds of words, have a large vocabulary; have a large vocabulary;

• Enjoy stories, poems, and Enjoy stories, poems, and jokes.jokes.

Approaches to Learning– VisualApproaches to Learning– Visual

A child may: A child may:

• Enjoy creating her own Enjoy creating her own pictures and visual pictures and visual representations of her own representations of her own learning;learning;

• Like to interact with Like to interact with teaching pictures and teaching pictures and picture reading a book; picture reading a book;

• Hear stories and visualize Hear stories and visualize the events through word the events through word pictures.pictures.

Approaches to Learning– RelationalApproaches to Learning– Relational

A child may: A child may:

• Be highly social;Be highly social;

• Make friends easily;Make friends easily;

• Be a very good talker;Be a very good talker;• Recognize how others Recognize how others

feel and be able to respond feel and be able to respond accordingly; accordingly;

• Be drawn to activities that Be drawn to activities that allow her to cooperate and allow her to cooperate and interact with others.interact with others.

Teaching TipsTeaching Tips

• Use the child’s name frequently when Use the child’s name frequently when you you sing or talk to him.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.• Reassure the child when he is anxious.Reassure the child when he is anxious.• Display and use the Bible.Display and use the Bible.• Incorporate Bible conversation, verses Incorporate Bible conversation, verses

and songs throughout the session.and songs throughout the session.

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 the child when he Give praise to the child when he

does something to help another does something to help another child.child.

• Use prayer when appropriate.Use prayer when appropriate.• Sing frequently and include the Sing frequently and include the

child’s name in the song.child’s name in the song.• Share the Bible story in the learning Share the Bible story in the learning

centers.centers.

Teaching TipsTeaching Tips

• Relate Bible truths and the life Relate Bible truths and the life impact statement in each activity.impact statement in each activity.

• Encourage boys and girls to work Encourage boys and girls to work together.together.

• Plan for success and satisfaction.Plan for success and satisfaction.• Use Bible conversation often to Use Bible conversation often to

reinforce Bible learning.reinforce Bible learning.

After the SessionAfter the Session

• Reflect: were you able to impact the life of Reflect: were you able to impact the life of the child?the child?

• Greet parents who are picking up their Greet parents who are picking up their children, and greet children who are children, and greet children who are arriving with their parents.arriving with their parents.

• Send a card to the child during the week.Send a card to the child during the week.

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

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

Responsibilities of the Preschool Division Responsibilities of the Preschool Division DirectorDirector

The division director is responsible to the Sunday School The division director is responsible to the Sunday School director for the total ministry of the Preschool Sunday director for the total ministry of the Preschool Sunday School Division. The division director:School Division. The division director:

Meets regularly with the Sunday School Planning Team.Meets regularly with the Sunday School Planning Team.

Coordinates the work of the Division & develops the Coordinates the work of the Division & develops the organization.organization.

Discovers, enlists, and trains new leaders.Discovers, enlists, and trains new leaders.

Evaluates, encourages, affirms, and directs leaders.Evaluates, encourages, affirms, and directs leaders.

Responsibilities of the Preschool Responsibilities of the Preschool Division DirectorDivision Director

Meets regularly with leaders for planning and Meets regularly with leaders for planning and evaluation.evaluation.

Oversees the coordination of FIRST CONTACTOversees the coordination of FIRST CONTACT(a ministry to expectant parents). (a ministry to expectant parents).

Evaluates the needs of the division & recommends Evaluates the needs of the division & recommends actions related to space, budget, curriculum, actions related to space, budget, curriculum, supplies, & other resources.supplies, & other resources.

Sets a positive example by being a witness of Christ Sets a positive example by being a witness of Christ and through full involvement in the ministry of the and through full involvement in the ministry of the church.church.

Preschool Division Outreach-Evangelism Preschool Division Outreach-Evangelism DirectorDirector

The division outreach-evangelism director works with the The division outreach-evangelism director works with the division director and the church outreach-evangelism division director and the church outreach-evangelism director to lead the Preschool Division in outreach and director to lead the Preschool Division in outreach and evangelism. The division outreach-evangelism director:evangelism. The division outreach-evangelism director:

Serves as a FAITH Group Leader or Team Leader (for Serves as a FAITH Group Leader or Team Leader (for churches using the FAITH Sunday School Evangelism churches using the FAITH Sunday School Evangelism Strategy).Strategy).

Coordinates all evangelism and outreach activities and Coordinates all evangelism and outreach activities and prospect-discovery efforts for the Preschool Division.prospect-discovery efforts for the Preschool Division.

Assists in training leaders& teachers in evangelism & Assists in training leaders& teachers in evangelism & outreach.outreach.

Promotes outreach & evangelism objectives with leaders and Promotes outreach & evangelism objectives with leaders and teachers.teachers.

Preschool Division Outreach-Preschool Division Outreach-Evangelism DirectorEvangelism Director

Maintains active prospect records for the division.Maintains active prospect records for the division. Greets visiting preschooler families and assists inGreets visiting preschooler families and assists in

locating the appropriate preschool departments. locating the appropriate preschool departments.

Coordinates FIRST CONTACT or works closely Coordinates FIRST CONTACT or works closely with the coordinator to make sure those familieswith the coordinator to make sure those families with infants ministry of the church. with infants ministry of the church.

Sets a positive example by being a witness of Sets a positive example by being a witness of Chris and through full involvement in the Chris and through full involvement in the ministry of the church.ministry of the church.

Preschool Department DirectorPreschool Department DirectorA department director is responsible to the division director A department director is responsible to the division director for the total ministry of a class/department. A preschool for the total ministry of a class/department. A preschool department directordepartment director::

Leads in planning and administering the total work of the Leads in planning and administering the total work of the class/dept.class/dept.

Meets regularly with teachers for prayer, planning, and Meets regularly with teachers for prayer, planning, and

making assignments related to evangelism and outreach, making assignments related to evangelism and outreach, fellowship, ministry, and Bible teaching.fellowship, ministry, and Bible teaching.

Greets preschoolers and families when they arrive.Greets preschoolers and families when they arrive.

Serves as team leader for the class/department, directing Serves as team leader for the class/department, directing overall Bible-learning experiences.overall Bible-learning experiences.

Preschool Department DirectorPreschool Department Director

Leads group learning experiences (for preschooler three and Leads group learning experiences (for preschooler three and older.) older.)

Maintains general records for the class/department. (Some Maintains general records for the class/department. (Some classes/dept may choose to enlist a secretary for record-classes/dept may choose to enlist a secretary for record-keeping) keeping)

Evaluates the needs of the class/department and recommends Evaluates the needs of the class/department and recommends actions related to space, budget, curriculum, supplies, and actions related to space, budget, curriculum, supplies, and other resources.other resources.

Sets a positive example by being a witness of Christ and through Sets a positive example by being a witness of Christ and through full involvement in the ministry of the church.full involvement in the ministry of the church.

Preschool TeacherPreschool Teacher

A preschool teacher:A preschool teacher:

• • Prepares and leads Bible-learning Prepares and leads Bible-learning centers/activities for foundational Bible centers/activities for foundational Bible teaching.teaching.

Builds positive relationships with Builds positive relationships with preschoolers and familiespreschoolers and families

• • Contacts members, prospects, and Contacts members, prospects, and families regularly to meet needs.families regularly to meet needs.

Preschool TeacherPreschool Teacher

• Leads parents toward faith in Jesus Leads parents toward faith in Jesus Christ and guides them to serve Him Christ and guides them to serve Him through worship, evangelism, ministry, through worship, evangelism, ministry, discipleship, and worship.discipleship, and worship.

• Sets a positive example by living as an Sets a positive example by living as an authentic witness of Christ and through authentic witness of Christ and through full involvement in the ministry of the full involvement in the ministry of the church.church.

Documents

Teach to Transform