Schools - Godly Play

New Godly Play Network

"In most religious education children are told who God is.
In 'Godly Play' children discover who God is."

Godly play is an innovative method of story telling and spiritual exploration.  It is rooted in the Montessori philosophy of schooling. 

‘Godly play is an approach based on Montessori principles - we respond to the child's request to 'help me do it by myself.' This puts the teacher in the role of spiritual supporter or guide… The teaching takes place in different ways at the same time: it is multi-modal and multi-sensory’

Since 1991 Goldy Play has spread globally and demand for training and workshops has been increasing steadily year on year.  Godly play is an experimental method of learning, which engages the whole child and encourages children and adults to wonder together about the mysteries of God.  This method teaches that silence and being quiet and deliberate can be as playful and as satisfying (if different) from being noisy, busy and grabby.

Godly play uses art and creativity differently to other methods because children are not required to make a pre–created idea/worksheet to present to parents.  They are asked to respond to the story in their own unique way.  This may be with collage, painting, drawing or clay.  They can experiment with ideas and confront any feelings or issues they have faced in the session.  For this reason Godly Play links well with SMSC (Social Moral Spiritual and Cultural) development in the school  curriculum.  The method of delivery allows for questioning and wondering, not forcing the children to any given conclusion but allowing them to develop their own understanding of biblical truths gradually.  If children have another view, faith or idea they are free to express these. 

Cathy and Katy have adapted the teachings and principles of Godly Play to fit into the school curriculum and environment.  When using Godly Play in schools they do not present a full Godly Play session but use elements of the sessions and are guided by the philosophy of Godly Play.

For more information check out the website www.godlyplay.org.uk

Others thoughts on Godly Play…

Angela Miller (Trustee) describes her observations of Schools Worker Cathy Brunton-Spall using Godly Play with a Year 1 class….

“She creates an atmosphere of awe and anticipation as her special box is opened and one by one props and figures are brought out and placed on the floor in front of the circle of hushed children. We are invited to ‘wonder’ what each item might be and how the characters might feel as the story of the Good Samaritan is simply and sensitively told.  Children contribute their ideas freely and seem totally engaged all the way through.”

Lorraine Cesar, a teacher from Broughton Fields Primary School, who, along with her class of children, experienced Godly Play recently, had this to say:

“The children really enjoyed the Godly Play sessions.  The mat and the figures gave them something to focus on while they were listening to the story and the questioning really made them think for themselves.  It was interesting to hear the different ways the children interpreted the stories and their different responses to them.  Listening to the children’s conversations while they were using the clay and the books and figures to extend their learning after the story showed just how much they had got out of the session.”