The Discover Triad: Three Facets of a Dynamic Sunday School Class

Discover: To remove the covering or to completely uncover.

Triad: A Unit of Three Pixel: three colored dots: red, green and blue Cluster of three cities: the Piedmont Triad in North Carolina Cluster of three cities: the Piedmont Triad in North Carolina Musical chord: three notes played simultaneously Winston-SalemGreensboro High Point

The Sunday School Triad ScriptureStoriesShepherding

Discover Scripture

Sunday School got its start in England when Robert Raikes had a vision for helping the children he saw running around the streets on Sunday – their only day off – learn to read and write and be good citizens.

His Textbook? The Bible

Discover the Bible Use the materials provided to play the Bible games listed for the age group you teach.

Preschoolers Don’t Read Instructions By God’s design, they are active, discovery learners.

Discovery Boxes Pull an item from the box. As a group, write down as many creative ways you can think of that the item can be used to help preschoolers discover Scripture.

Teachers Must Give Up Control in Favor of Activities That Allow Learners to Discover. Never tell a child anything you can lead him to discover for himself.

Curriculum and Learning Centers

Participation is the Evidence of Discovery Learning

AAAArt BBBBlocks BBBBooks HHHHomeliving MMMMusic PPPPuzzles SSSScience and Nature

Preparation Is a Pre-requisite To Discovery Learning. How can a teacher prepare for the session? How can we help a preschooler prepare for the session?

An Essential Part of Learning for a Child Requires the Use of Questions.  Answer the question that is asked.  Take all questions seriously.  Answer simply and honestly.  Never embarrass a child about his question.

An Essential Part of Learning for a Child Requires the Use of Questions.  Be a good listener without judging.  Make time for conversation.  Get on a child’s level.  Pray for God’s guidance in answering.

Discover Stories

Storytelling Myths

Myth 1: The Story Should Be Saved for Group Time.

Myth 2: The Bible story is the end of the story.

Myth 3: The Bible story can be told when the child is able to talk and communicate.

Myth 4: I need lots of props to tell the story so the children will listen.

I Love to Tell the Story  Use an open Bible when telling a Bible story.  Sit where you can establish eye contact with each child.  Grab the children’s attention with the first sentence.  Introduce the story with a song or picture.

I Love to Tell the Story  Open the Bible to the correct reference as you begin the story.  Use simple words the children can understand.  Vary the tone, volume, speed and intensity of your voice.  Change your voice to represent different people, actions, or emotions.

 Tell the story straight through and avoid interruptions.  Help preschoolers to recall the story by asking simple review questions.  Thank the preschoolers for being good listeners. I Love to Tell the Story

Sharing your own story is a key element of conveying God’s message for preschoolers and their families.

Discover Your Story Some questions to help you get started:  What teacher influenced you the most? Why?  What are your gifts? Talents? Hobbies?  What are your favorite things?  What are your pet peeves?  What has God done in your life?

Storytelling Circle As important as it is for us to share our own stories, it is equally important for us to discover the stories of the preschoolers that we teach.

Discover Shepherding

Traits of a Good Shepherd  Is comfortable sitting with the flock  Watches for signs of danger  Pulls back strays  Helps the sheep find food  Soothes and guides sheep

Know Your Flock

 Curious  Active  Creative  Sensitive  Limited Attention Span  Explores Limits  Literal Minded Preschool Characteristics

 Love  Trust  Acceptance  Independence  Freedom  Security  Guidance  Sense of Accomplishment Needs of Preschoolers

 Verbal  Visual  Reflective  Relational  Physical  Natural  Musical  Logical Learning Approaches

 Senses  Curiosity  Hands-On Experience  Satisfaction  Relationships  Imitation  Play  Repetition Ways Preschoolers Learn

Discovering Families Find someone in the large group you do not know. Take three minutes to discover and record things you have in common.

 Did anyone find more than 5 things you had in common with any of your partners?  Did you find that you have more in common with strangers than you thought?

What are Families Looking for in a Church?  As a group, make a list of the top 10 things parents of preschoolers are looking for in a church.  Discuss the reasons why parents of preschoolers choose YOUR church.

Ministering to Families  On your index card, write down up to five problems that families you know are experiencing.  As a group, list ways that churches can minister to the families listed on your cards.

Be Intentional in Helping Preschoolers Discover God’s Love for Them Through the Use of: SSSScripture SSSStorytelling SSSShepherding