"Can we cover up the mural of Noah's ark on the wall? Please!"
The question came from a parent while I was at Jade's preschool co-op leadership meeting last week. My curiosity antenna went up and I could sense her anger. "I mean I know this is a church building and all," she went on, "but I just hope I don't have to answer a question about it."
As I reflected on her comments, I could only wonder what was told to her about Noah's ark and the story of the flood. It was clear that whatever her experience, this story had certainly made an impression and left her with lots of negative emotions. Had she been told a story of punishment rather than God's love? Was she told too much as a child that scared her, rather than intrigued her, about the God who loves people deeply and wildly?
Let's face it. Some of the Bible is pretty scary. Much of it is hard to understand without deep study. How do we communicate truth to children in an age appropriate way? How do we tell stories that build their faith and trust in God?
Consider spiral learning.
Earlier this week and after that co-op parent meeting, Kathy Foster shared a newsletter from Meredith Miller, the author of Woven, which I've referenced recently, and her words shed some light on these questions. Miller described using spiral learning to allow for understanding of what being taught as the brain develops over time. (As a side note, this concept is one of the main reasons that we are providing a space for the older kids on Sunday mornings for questions and discussion that the younger children would not be ready to do.)
So, what is spiral learning? Here is a excerpt from the newsletter to detail it more.
Miller writes:
Spiral learning tells us that when there are complex ideas to learn, we make them simple and small on purpose, so that we can add layers of complexity, depth, and nuance over time. We circle around these ideas over and over, taking them just a bit at a time.
In other words, you answer with:
something true
at her level
that you can build on later
We let’s try it with a Bible story, taking creation as our example, which is fitting as we wrap up our Genesis series.
Start here
At any age, the big idea in Genesis is God made a good world and God made people in God’s own image. Image-bearing is a complex theological idea. But you can start with something true, at a kids’ level, that you can build on later.
You might say, “God made a world full of amazing plants and animals! It was beautiful and so good. And God made people with so much care—people are God’s favorite!”
Age it up
You can add on the idea that the world was made diverse by design, saying, “God made all different kinds of plants, all different kinds of animals, all different kinds of people! God made things different on purpose because it makes God happy!” Help your child notice uniqueness in different parts of creation and enjoy that beauty.
Go deeper
The ideas of a good creation that is different on purpose feeds into an important piece of being made in God’s image: inherent dignity.
You might say, “The Genesis poem says every person is made in God’s own image. In other communities’ stories, someone is made in god’s image—just one person. Guess who? The king! Only the king was, and that let the king be bossy. But our God? Our God made every person in God’s image. How should we respond to people if that is what’s true of them?”
Spiral learning: make complex things small on purpose. Circle around them a lot, always taking just a bit at a time.
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If you have questions about this concept, please let Kathy Foster or me know. We would love to support you!
And just a reminder...Kathy brought some excellent parenting books that are available this Sunday for you to see. If you are looking for resources, these might be helpful.