Sunday School Observations

Sometimes it seems difficult to hold the attention of the little children for the whole instruction period. No matter how interesting the stories and experiences the teacher is prepared to tell them, the little ones become restless, and seek to divert themselves if no diversion is provided. This is because little children like variety in presentation.

It is desirable to have the children take part as much as possible: repeating things aloud together unites them and helps them to teach each other. The Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, the Beatitudes, the names for God, and simple words or phrases, such as "God is Love," lend themselves well to this kind of teaching. In telling a Bible story in which new names figure, the teacher may pause and ask the children if they can say that word. This gives them a part in the class, and represents a real achievement for the shy child.

One child remained silent for many weeks in Sunday school. Finally she said the First Commandment, almost in a whisper. Immediately after finishing it she asked the teacher if she could say it again. She knew she had won a victory.

Sometimes one of the little ones begins breathlessly to relate some trivial incident or imaginary thought. Rather than try to silence the child, the teacher lovingly listens, looking for an opportunity to draw spiritual parallels. To win the confidence of a child is a wonderful thing, even though his first confidings are no more significant than the fact that he has on new shoes.

It is right to impress the children, nonetheless, with the importance of keeping the Sunday school time for the things of God. They are quick to grasp this, and the teacher may remind them that they are welcome to stay after the class to tell her anything they want to say that does not belong in the instruction period.

Questions are necessary and important with the small children as well as older ones. Simple questions requiring simple answers are best, such as, "Who wrote the Bible?" "Who wrote Science and Health?" and so forth. One class could not explain the difference between Jesus and the Christ, yet when asked if the human Jesus were with us today they all said no, and when asked if the Christ was here today, they all said yes. "What are angels?" "Where is heaven?" "Where is God?" are questions which may be asked.

The teacher cannot always carry out a detailed plan; the unexpected must be expected in teaching little children.

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