Trevor Lanz
Godly Play
The concept of Godly play I feel is a very important aspect to the development for children to grasp the stories and meaning of certain biblical themes. Godly play takes on the qualities of engaging and emercing the child into the story through visual aspects and puts the story in the child's element- which is play. Playing for children is not just a time of exercise, but a time of expression and a opportunity for the child express his or herself in their own personal way. So with that Godly play is directed to let the children "play" but in a directed and focused way on God. I think that this method can be usuful, but like all methods of teaching there is a place and time for it and there is a place and time for us to not use it. Developmentally, children's minds are always moving and growing- the Godly play captures their attention and nurtures it so that they can feel free to "play" in their own way, but also help in the creation of biblical concepts and stories. There are many resources and different methods and way to teaching and giving the gospel to children, but this method is stepping out of the classroom and traditional setting and letting the children connect in their best element which is Playing.
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Playing is important for children. Children express themselves when they play. When I was younger my friends and I always pretended to be characters from movies and t.v. shows. By doing this we worked out our own problems by watching what the t.v. characters did. (Which might not always be good, but it taught us a lesson of some type.) When we use Godly play for children they will be able to learn about God through living out Bible stories or lessons. When we tell a story to children in a way that gets them involved in the story they will remember the story better and they will grasp the lessons that they are being taught. They will interact with the story and understand it when there is a visual for them to see. Godly play is a good way to help children learn lessons that they may not learn in any other way but Godly play.
ReplyDeleteEmily Grubbs
ReplyDeleteI think Godly Play is beneficial to children. Children love using their imaginations, and by interacting with what they are learning about, they are able to pay attention and understand the subject better. Children have such a short attention span as it is, but by actively engaging them in what they are learning they are more likely to remember what they are being taught. I think Godly Play is a great idea and should be used more often. Kid's are seeking to be taught in a way that connects with them- through their imaginations.
I had never even thought of using Godly play. But after learning about it during the last class session I really think it's an awesome way for the kids to learn. Once I was babysitting to 3-year-old girls and they wanted me to tell them the Christmas story. And as I did they acted it out and added to it. It was really cute, but now that I look back on that I can see how by acting a story out and adding little details like what sounds the animals made, or pretending they are sheep can help the kids remember certain aspects of important stories. It also helps them to engaeg in the Bible in a new and unique way.
ReplyDeleteGodly play is a great tool to help teach the Bible to children. The children are going to play and imagine as it is, so why not set up the stories for them with Biblical stories. When they are playing and imagining with the Biblical stories, they are thinking and learning about what the Bible teaches us. I agree with Trevor in that there is a time and place for this. It is a great tool to utilize, but I do not think it should be the only thing used to teach the children.
ReplyDeleteDuring Class on Monday, Julie showed us a video of "Godly Play" and I was hesitant at first. My previous understanding of "Godly Play" was basically giving children toys of biblical characters and allowing them to create their own stories. However, the video showed the instructor using the toys and areas to tell the story first, then allowing for the students to interact with the story (Reminiscent of Bandura's Bobo Doll Experiment of early 60's). I like the idea more now than I did in the past--it really helps engage multiple elements of children's learning. However, I feel that teenagers might find this source of Godly Play a little foolish. I think we incorporate the elements of Godly Play by roleplaying. I'm sure there are a few more ways, but I can't think of any more... Can anyone else think of any ways to allow teens to engage in Godly Play?
ReplyDeleteI think Godly Play is beneficial to children. When playing with toys they use their imagination. But while playing Godly Play they are told a story and this prompts their imagination and leads it towards the Bible story. They can use the toys to help explain what the story is and retell it to others, which will help them to really understand and be able to tell the story over and over again. I think that Godly Play is a really good way to help children interact with the Stories in the Bible.
ReplyDeleteThis was the first time that I have heard of Godly Play and I love the idea. I think it is a great way for the children to be able to relate to the stories on a level they can understand. It allows them to get hands on experience to what they are learning and will help them grasp the concepts better. I really enjoyed in class coming up with our own methods of Godly Play.
ReplyDelete-Jessica-
ReplyDeleteThe idea of Godly play seems very beneficial to children. I personally have not used it, because I haven't heard it or seen it in action before. After watching the movie in the last class session, I really think it can work beyond just "lecturing" kids. Godly play allows them to interact with the story, and in turn it allows them to be able to retell the story. I think that if their parents asked about what they learned, they would be more likely to tell it in the story form if they acted it out, rather than just hearing it. Learning happens after you hear the story, interact with the story, and retell the story. Godly play also allows the teachers to be creative, and in turn allows the students to be creative, which is always encouraged.
Todd, just a thought about Godly Play for teenagers, it may take acting out a story themselves with props and having a narrator, or setting up a prayer walk with different interactive items that correspond with different types and ways of praying.
Zachary
ReplyDeleteI believe that Godly play can be an extremely beneficial thing for children. As a person who needs to be engaged with the lesson, not just taking notes or being lectured to, it seems like the perfect thing.I think it really allows students to relate to the story and also gives them something memorable about the lesson. It also allows us, as future educators, the opportunity to be creative and stretch our minds in order to engage people.
I think that like anything else, if Godly play is done right and in the right context than it can be an effective part of any ministry. I like the idea of engaging people in what i am trying to teach them so it serves a great purpose. It is not simply playing and not listening, but it is playing to show that you are listening.
ReplyDelete