Short history; Leigha Semones led a group of parents who decided they wanted a different kind of curriculum for preschoolers at DP. They wanted their kids to have both the truths they'd learned at Dwelling Place and all the major characters in the old and new testaments. Leigha and the parents were thoughtful and prayerful over the last ten years creating the system we have now. What a tremendous gift we have in this firm foundation!
They were prayerful in how teachers should interact with the kids. Teachers are taught not to scold but redirect children by using phrases like, "Your hands weren't made to hit, they were made to do amazing things, and to love". These moments of one on one instruction are made into opportunities to show an individual how special they are, and how loved.
The order was thoughtful. The year of bible stories starts in June. This way the old testament stories can be told before we begin Jesus's story with his birth December and we follow his story through his death in Easter.
Lessons are taught in multiple forms to grab all kid's different ways of learning. The lessons are told each week with a story, craft, song, and often acting out the lesson with the kids.
Each month begins with teaching a special memory verse, like "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". The memory verses is short and useful for preschoolers. Each verse is in a song that is sung all month in worship to help emphasize it. These songs can be found here and here. We also just began making Memory Verse posters that the kids take home once a month, you can also find them here.
Children get time to play each Sunday morning, and they also get time set apart to worship. Worship time emphasizes the monthly memory verse, but also goes deeper to give them a place to play, talk, listen to, and sing to God.
I feel so blessed to have a great way to hide God's word in your children's hearts each week! I invite you to emphasizing these lessons at home. I know it has been a real character builder when we do this at our house! A few ideas;
to post the memory verse posters on your walls (or fridge!),
listen to the songs with your little ones from our playlist page,
ask them to repeat their memory verses during the week, (they are listed on the curriculum calendar page), and help them apply the verses to situations at home.
