Scenario 2
The nursery class of the local school wants to look at baptism in your church. How will you set about preparing an appropriate session?
Clues
- Discuss the session with the nursery teacher and staff. They may have done, or be able to do, some preparatory work with the children, e.g. about babies/washing/cleaning/water.
- Agree appropriate vocabulary and new words to introduce to the children e.g. font, baptism.
- Be aware of the language levels of the children. Think about the metaphors and similes that are used in the Baptism service and in talking about baptism. How can they be made intelligible? This may be an area to discuss with the staff.
- Plan the session with the teacher to include activities and experiences related to the baptism itself.
Resources
Look for teaching material about baptism for Early Years pupils e.g.
- Dottie and Buzz, Programme 3 'Baptism'
1999, Channel 4 Schools & Culham College Institute
(See also www.dottieandbuzz.co.uk)- My Christian Faith (Big Book)
Seaman, A.
1999, Rainbow Books/Evans ISBN 0 237 51932 1
(photos and text for follow up work in schools)- Teaching Christianity at Key Stage 1
Seaman, A. & Owen, G.
1999, National Society /Church House Publishing ISBN 0 715 14912 1
(section on visiting a church)