Spirit Play helps children connect with inner self

What is Spirit Play? The May 2009 Spirit Play training session and conference gave our church 15 educators trained in this exciting new approach to religious education. Adapted from the Montessori school model and Jerome Berryman's Godly Play, Spirit Play helps children slow down and listen to their inner selves. (For more on Spirit Play, see below.)

Each week when there are separate classes, all the Spirit Play children will gather together briefly outside the Garden Room on the Nursery level. The storytellers and doorkeepers for the day are introduced, then the Primers' group goes to its room. Parents, please pick up Garden Room children promptly at 12; Primers will also be dismissed at that time unless you request another arrangement.

The day's leaders will check on nametags, footwear, and general readiness, perhaps telling a centering movement story.

NOTE:  If parents can have their children change from outdoor shoes/boots to slippers, and put their name tags on before the service upstairs begins, it will help our programs flow more smoothly.

"The exciting thing for me is this gives a needed structure and spiritual focus to the day," said Caroline Balderston Parry, the church's director of religious education. "It starts with a wisdom tale or other meaningful story, or perhaps a lesson about the principles and sources of Unitarian Universalism, which quiets everyone down.

"You tell the story very slowly and then ask wondering questions, like  'I wonder why they used the colour black for this cloth?' or 'I wonder who has ever felt joyful out in a garden?' or 'I wonder who has ever had someone they love die?'" Balderston Parry explains. 

The method emphasizes that there are no right answers, and includes time where children can choose from various art materials and activities to express their own thoughts.

The story teller doesn't make eye contact with the children so that they can better focus on the tale. Good quality props are used - which are stored in individual baskets or boxes for each story.

Stories have already been developed to explore different religions and ways to pray, beginnings and endings, sacred places and Unitarian Universalist Principles. But Balderston Parry says there's no reason we can't develop our own stories as well.

She says the RE department has its work cut out for it in preparing boxes or baskets for 13 or 14 stories, as well as variations of those, to tell in the fall and early winter sessions.  More will be needed in the new year! For more information on Spirit Play, visit www.spiritplay.net