Godly Play
Godly Play is a
Founding
The method was developed by Jerome Berryman, an
Berryman and his colleague Sonja Stewart, a professor of Christian education at Western Theological Seminary, co-developed a series of lessons plans, the first of which were published in the book Young Children and Worship.[5] Berryman then further developed these ideas into the Godly Play method. The lesson plans were published as a series of books.
Teachers are expected to be trained—and, ideally, certified—in the Godly Play method, in order to teach Godly Play. Some of the first Godly Play trainings were held on the campus of Virginia Theological Seminary.[3]
Although there are apparent similarities in methodology and praxis, there are also key methodological and theological differences between the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and Godly Play.[6]
Method
As with the Montessori method, the Godly Play method is child-centered and hands-on.
Berryman said, "[a]t the heart of each lesson is storytelling and wondering".[1] The lessons are taught as stories, illustrated with hands-on materials, which are followed by "I wonder" questions, then by time for students to creatively respond. Essential to the method is "the idea that children have an innate sense of God",[7] but "only lack the language to express their spirituality";[7] Godly Play aims to address this lack, by providing the language, without interfering with the child's natural instincts.
The curriculum is taught in a classroom, which is specially prepared. Children are divided by age groups; each age group meets in a separate classroom, and is taught lessons in a scope and sequence tailored to their age group.
Research
Work has been done to study Godly Play method and its impact through research and investigation. One collection of said studies is Godly Play — Gott im Spiel, edited by Martin Steinhäuser and Rune Oystese.[8]
Derivatives
The method has inspired several derivatives, among them: Faith & Play Stories, for
References
- ^ a b c Jerome W. Berryman. "Godly Play and the language of Christian faith". The Christian Century.
- ^ Holly Catterton Allen. "Jerome Berryman". Talbot School of Theology.
- ^ a b Amy Dyer. "Profile: Jerome Berryman". Building Faith.
- ^ Dirk deVries. "Jerome Berryman and Godly Play". Ministry Matters.
- ^ James V. Brownson. "Sonja M. Stewart - An Appreciation". Western Theological Seminary.
- ^ Victoria Schwartz. "The Theological Differences Between Godly Play and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd". Center for Children and Theology.
- ^ a b Tali Folkins. "Godly play sees child as 'full of God, full of spirit'". Anglican Journal.
- ^ John Pridmore. "Godly Play — Gott im Spiel, edited by Martin Steinhäuser, Rune Oystese". Church Times.
External links
- International links