Group Study Guide

Purpose: To provide participants with the opportunity to reflect on what they read in this resource, talk with one another, and apply the information to the preschoolers in their homes and groups at church.

Objective: Through reflection and conversation, participants will develop an understanding of the preschoolers in their homes and their groups at church. With this understanding they will be able to transform their methods to match the needs and characteristics of their learners.

Participants: This plan is for parents, teachers, leaders, and ministers who relate to preschoolers, birth through kindergarten and pre-first.

Sessions: This plan can be used in a variety of settings including retreats, planning meetings, and conferences. The suggestions are generally designed for one-hour sessions, but you are encouraged to adapt it to meet the needs of your group. For example, you can easily adjust the suggestions to fit a 15-minute training segment during a planning meeting. Some of the session outlines are designed for shorter sessions. Combine these with another outline for one session to meet your needs.

Also feel free to use the sessions in any order. A conclusion exercise to the entire study is located at the end of the session titled "Multicultural Issues." Use this exercise at the end of your last session.

Approach: This plan is designed for discussions based on what participants have read in this resource. The convener serves as facilitator of the discussion. Group members participate by sharing their reflections or thoughts concerning what they have read. The exercises enable the participants to identify implications for applying the information to their group of preschoolers. If your group of participants is small, adjust the suggestions for breakout groups to meet the needs of your group.

Room Arrangement: Arranging tables and chairs in a square is preferable so that participants can see one another. If tables are not available, arrange chairs in a circle.

• Introduction
• God Created Preschoolers with Basic Needs
• Learning During the Preschool Years
• Spiritual Growth in Preschoolers
• Mental Growth in Preschoolers
• Physical Growth in Preschoolers
• Social/Emotional Growth in Preschoolers
• Discipline and Behavior Issues
• Preschoolers with Special Needs
• Blended Families and Divorce
• Multicultural Issues
  

Christian Growth Study Plan

This book is a resource in six Leadership and Skill Development diploma plans in the Christian Growth Study Plan. To receive credit, read the resource, complete the learning activities, then show your work to your pastor, a staff member or church leader.

Select the course code(s) and ministry area(s) you want to apply this credit from the following options. You may apply the credit to more than one course, but you must fill out a separate form for each one.

LS-0002: Leadership Skill Development
LS-0014: Sunday School
LS-0014: Discipleship Training
LS-0014: Preschool Choir
LS-0018: Weekday Director and Teacher

Christian Growth Study Plan course credit request form.

For more information about the Christian Growth Study Plan, check out the online catalog at www.lifeway.com/cgsp/catalog