Childcare Story: “Let’s sing and dance and shout!”

Last year as Pre-school wrapped up in June, Child Care Manager Paula West-Patrick had a discussion with Christine, a pre-school teacher, about ways they could incorporate more music and present more Christian content into our programs. Christine reminisced about the days when child care staff and children  would gather in the gym for Praise Days. At that point they decided that this would be a goal for September.

The department purchased a small keyboard, and Tanya  (Christine’s pre-school teaching partner) and Christine set about creating a program of celebration of God’s love for each of us through music, movement and story. The plan was to combine day care and pre-school classes twice a month for 15 minutes to start and work up to half an hour each time.

The program has been quite successful. Children who were uninterested in September are now asking when the next Praise Day is. Each class has been provided with a CD and the children are singing the songs every day. “Let’s sing and dance and shout!” is the opening song and one of the children’s favorites.

At the last session Christine read a story about prayer. When she asked the group what they thought prayer meant one little 4 yr old boy who is very shy immediately put his hand up and when asked to, said “It is when you’re scared and you can talk to God and he makes you not be afraid anymore.” It is so good to hear these comments from the children and know that God is making an impression in their lives.

Preschool Teacher Christine shares her musical talents and love of God.