That's all. There are no more rules than that.
Some in the circle may be thrown by this and have no idea how to respond. As Berryman says, that is okay. Many children learn by watching as well as by doing. Since most of us will present portions of this lesson at least twice during Lent, participants will have another chance on another occasion... and after all, this is an opportunity but it is never a requirement. If you don't feel like getting something, that's okay. Just enjoy what we make together.[All the Berryman quotes in this post are from The Complete Guide to Godly Play, volume 4.]
The first person I ever called upon took the instructions very literally, and brought our Bible to the circle. Which was an excellent response. Berryman had predicted what my next child did: Sometimes children get up, wander for a moment and bring something at random, without knowing why. That's okay. [Notice how often he says, that's okay. That's one of the things I love about Godly Play!] Be amazed and wonder why with them, together coming up with something relevant. Everything in the room is connected in some way.
Last year, though, I chose not to wonder explicitly about connections. I just accepted anything that was brought to the circle with silent wonder and appreciation. And perhaps a nod or a smile. My children were young, and not always very articulate. And ever since my training I've liked this special kind of Wondering for its freedom from words and freedom from over-thinking things.
And this is why I love writing this blog and reading your comments, and reading the posts that others write, especially those submitted to our Lenten link-up. It's so helpful to hear about how others put this into practice, what they like best, what they think is most important, and what they think can be left out.
photo from the So Many Joys blog |
Berryman proposes some Wondering Questions for use when these stories are told outside the Godly Play classroom. But it may also be entirely appropriate to ask people to think creatively and look around whatever room you find yourselves in for objects which would help to tell the story, or even to share aloud what object they would bring if it were available.
photo from Featherglen, cropped by me |
photo from Explore and Express, cropped by me |
As Sheila's experience shows, you may get unusual connections and contributions even within a Godly Play setting. Can you see what has been placed next to the plaque depicting Jesus resisting temptation?
She writes, One child laid a package of cookies and a stop sign made of sticks beside the picture of Jesus in the wilderness. He then explained that this represented Jesus’ long fast and how hungry he must have been.
I have a child who each week has brought a large stone to set beside that weeks picture. He simply says, "because Jesus dies on a cross." This has challenged me to (silently) stretch my personal wondering to make the connection. It is his part of the story to tell -not mine, but I do wonder.
ReplyDeleteAs for bringing too large of items, I simply state it must be something you can carry yourself to the circle.
This is my first time sharing these stories and I am loving the response.
Wonderful to hear how it is going in other groups. Thank you for sharing!
"notice how often he says 'that's okay'" -- also something I really love about GP! I really do love the connections -- maybe it's the former English teacher in me -- but this really is deep, meaningful work we and the kids are doing.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post! Thank you for unpacking this type of wondering and inviting us to consider these ideas ourselves. We do a bit of this in the atrium, but I am already trying to figure out how to do more! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Coedith, Amanda, and Leslie, for your positive feedback! It was a bit daunting to pull together various perspectives without being too long-winded yet staying true to the different experiences. So I really appreciate the encouragement. And a huge thank you to Sheila, Amanda, and Featherglen, for sharing your photos and words!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Storyteller. What I love about this type of Wondering is that the possibilities of ways to respond are endless. They are only limited by the child's imagination.
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