Purposes of the Preschool Ministry

1. To help each child...
   • feel comfortable and happy, loved and wanted, and that "I am special";
   • grow in his independence by beginning to meet and solve his own problems; to make progress in sharing and taking turns;
   • feel secure with adults, with other children, and in a variety of situations;
   • begin to show love, respect, and acceptance for others;
   • have positive feelings about people and things associated with God;
   • understand that Jesus was born, grew, and belonged to a family;
   • know that the Bible is a special book that tells about God and Jesus;
   • to have positive feelings about church.
     
2. To allow the Holy Spirit to work through us in order that all preschoolers may be raised in Christian homes.
3. To encourage the active participation of parents in worship, Bible study, visitation, and fellowship.
4. To encourage the growth of each child spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically, and socially.
5. To provide a safe, clean, and happy Christian environment for preschool age children when they are at church.

Parents Please take note…

1. Infants will be fed formula, milk, juice or water as provided in a bottle.
2. Parents should label bottles with the child's name, contents, and time to be given. (Example: John Smith-Apple Juice-at 10:00 a.m.)
3. Preschoolers age one and older are served a snack of water and crackers
4. A nursing room is provided for nursing mothers.

Health Policies

1. For the protection of your child and the other children, parents are requested not to bring a child who appears to be ill. Upon the recommendation of the Committee on Control of Infectious Diseases of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a child should not be taken from home when any of the following exists:
   • Fever-currently or within previous 24 hours
   • Vomiting or diarrhea
   • Any symptom of a childhood disease such as scarlet fever, German measles, mumps, chicken pox, or whooping cough
   • Common cold - from onset through one week
   • Sore throat
   • Croup
   • Any unexplained rash
   • Any skin infection - boils, ringworm, impetigo
   • Pink eye or other eye infection.
2. If a child develops a fever or other symptoms of illness, he will be isolated and the parents contacted to take the child home.
3. Preschool teachers and staff are not able to administer medication.
4. Should your child develop an infectious disease following a session in the preschool area, please contact the preschool office immediately.
5. Parents should make note of any allergies on security slip, which is left with the child's teacher.
6. All toys used by our young preschoolers are washed and sanitized before and during each teaching session.

Clothing Hints

1. All personal items including clothing in a diaper bag must be labeled with the child's full name. Also, include a plastic bag for wet or soiled clothing. Please include an extra change of clothing. Sweaters, jackets, hats, purses and bags should be labeled with child's name.
2. We suggest that preschoolers be dressed in comfortable, loose-fitting, machine-washable clothing that will not restrict free movement.
3. Preschoolers undergoing toilet training need to bring extra changes of clothing in a labeled bag. Their clothing should be easy to take off and on.
4. Preschoolers are usually involved in art activities each session. Smocks are worn to protect clothing; however, accidents with tempra paint could occur.

Parenting Tips for Church

For a child's first experiences at church to be happy and meaningful, the major responsibility is in the hands of his parents.

1. A child's adjustment to church is much more difficult after seven months of age, so we recommend bringing the child to church early and regularly. However, we do not recommend bringing newborns until they are four weeks old.
2. If a child has a problem at church, it is better to discuss this with his teachers at a time other than just before or after class. Never discuss a child's problem in his presence.
3. Family worship can include even your baby. Children two and three years old should be encouraged to participate.
4. Become familiar with the Preschool Policies, and cooperate in every way possible. We are eager for your child to have happy experiences at church.
5. At the classroom door, do not attempt to slip away from your child. Tell him in a kind, firm voice that you are going but will be back to get him soon. Then, leave immediately. If your child becomes upset, the teacher will help your child become involved in an activity or the teacher will come for you. It will not be necessary for you to "look in" on him between Sunday School and the Worship Service.
6. Abstract terms such as "God's House", "Holy Spirit", etc. are difficult for children to comprehend. They are unable to distinguish between Sunday School and Wednesday night church, the time is considered "church" to them.
7. Begin talking to your child positively during the week about going to church. Use the child's teachers' names and other friends in his class frequently when talking about happy times at church.
8. It is best for one parent to bring the child to his room and leave him at the door. Please, don't enter the room unless you have a sleeping baby. As your child begins to walk, allow him to walk into his room. This builds confidence and independence.
9. Don't be surprised if your child's nap and feeding schedule become altered while he is at church. He may get so involved and excited that he finds there is too much fun to go to sleep!
10. Become involved in your child's preschool experience by becoming a member of the PEP

Activity Teaching

At church we teach preschoolers about God through activities. Activity teaching is very different from play. When playing, children choose and use materials without the active involvement of an adult, parent, or teacher. Play has no intrinsic goal, but is done for the sheer joy of playing and learning. Activity teaching occurs when a person uses play to achieve a spiritual purpose. It must be planned with a specific goal in mind. Activities also require the ACTIVE involvement and guidance of a teacher. The activities listed are set up in centers in the classroom and preschoolers work (play) in the center of their choice.

Art - a child enjoys freedom to experiment with materials and to express his own ideas; has opportunity to think for himself, has outlets for emotional tensions and frustrations; enjoys manipulation (squeezing, pounding, rolling, pushing, pulling); likes color and experiments with it.

Bible - a child learns that the Bible is a special book; enjoys looking at pictures; learns by association- teams stories about Jesus and God; enjoys playing games using the Bible; communicates feelings by attitude, tone of voice, and proper handling; tells a short story about the pictures.

Blocks - a child's creativity is encouraged as he chooses what to build; large and small muscles are strengthened and developed; preschoolers hear Bible conversation, verses, and songs, and role play daily live events.

Books - a child may enjoy handling and looking at them; gets new ideas and develops interest in other things; learns to listen to stories; increases his attention span; increases his vocabulary; learns to care for books.

Homeliving - a child plays out home experiences; develops muscular coordination (ironing, rocking); has opportunity to play alone; has opportunities to "help" cook, set table, dust, sweep;, wash dishes, bathe and rock the "baby"); may have worship opportunities (thank you at mealtime and other times); may begin to cooperate with others; reveals thoughts and attitudes through conversation.

Music and Movement - preschoolers practice following directions and exercise fine and gross motor skills. Opportunities to reinforce biblical concepts about God, Jesus, church, Bible, self, others, family, and the natural world occur.

Nature and Science - preschoolers are allowed to explore, question, experiment, and discover truths. They develop eye-hand coordination. Opportunities for worship occur as preschoolers experience the awe and wonder of God's world.

Puzzles and Manipulatives - a child enjoys a sense of achievement; learns to think and reason; learns to solve problems, learns to work independently; has opportunities for choices; may enjoy conversation; associates pictures in the puzzle with his own experiences; develops coordination.

Teaching Materials

Curriculum used by our Preschool Ministry is published by Lifeway Christian Ministries. It is Bible based and planned for the growth and development of preschoolers.

Literature for parent/child devotion time at home is available each Sunday morning to reinforce Bible story, activities and verses.

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