A quality preschool program designs curriculum to meet the needs of the whole child. Physical, intellectual, emotional and social competencies are all important for healthy development. To this list Northampton Christian Preschool also adds spiritual development.
Our goals for spiritual development are simple. We want children to understand they are created by a God who loves them and is always watching over them. We teach children that they can speak to God through prayer anytime and anywhere and that He loves to hear their prayers. We are learning to talk to God whenever we are happy or sad or worried or afraid.
As we learned about the Good Shepherd this week we reinforced these concepts. A shepherd feeds and cares for his sheep. He leads them on the journey through lush valleys and rocky paths. He protects them from the wolves. He lovingly rescues them when they wander away. He is always watching over them.
In the lunch room today, a sweet friend who recently turned five said "Teacher, I don't feel very good." "What's the matter?" I asked. "Well, my tummy hurts," he said as he took a large bite from his sandwich, "and I didn't get good sleep last night. I had bad dreams all night."
"I'm sorry to hear that" I replied. "I have bad dreams sometimes too. When I do, I talk to God. I know He is always watching over me because He never goes to sleep." "You know what?" my little friend piped up, "I'm just like God cuz I don't like to go to bed either!"
As I teach these lessons to young children, I re-learn them over and over again in my own life. If God is my shepherd then I have everything I need. If God is always watching over me (and my children) I need not worry when they drive out of the driveway on a snowy night. And when I am awakened in the middle of the night from worry, God is still up waiting to hear from me.
Cheryl Hoover is the Director of Northampton Christian Pre-school.
