Early Childhood

Classes & ages
Curriculum - Godly Play
Video about Godly Play

We welcome you and your child, birth through Kindergarten, to the Myers Park Baptist Church Early Childhood Department. On Sunday mornings, your child will be greeted by friendly, warm teachers and bright, inviting rooms. Our program offers a loving learning environment where children grow in their experiences of God’s world and their places in it.

Our first priority is that the needs of your child are met. We encourage the active participation of parents in our Sunday School program. Parents are welcome to remain in the room with their children as needed. If you have concerns or questions, please feel free to talk with the teachers or the Director of Early Childhood Ministries, Cheryl Collins Patterson (704.334.7232, ext. 52).

Please label all of your child’s belongings and bring all of your regular diapering supplies as well as a change of clothes. Feel free to bring breast milk or other bottles if your baby is accustomed to a morning bottle. Mid-morning snacks will be provided for Toddlers, Twos, Threes, Fours and T-K children.

Thank you for making your child part of the faith community at our church. Having children in our midst is a holy privilege and we strive to respond to Jesus’ words: “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” (Mark 9:37)

Reverend Cheryl Collins Patterson
Director of Early Childhood Ministries
704.334.7232, ext. 52 or cpatterson@mpbconline.org

Ages and Location of Sunday School Classes
9:30 a.m. – Noon

Babies & Toddlers Younger than 15 months
Babies are welcomed in the Nursery once they are 6 weeks ago.
Toddlers – Children who are 15 months and older gather in Room 104 on Sunday mornings.
Two’s – Children who turn 2 before October 15, 2007 gather in Room 103;
Three’s gather in Room 107;
Four’s gather in Room 108;
Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten meet in Room 213, located on the second floor of the Education Building.





Curriculum

Our Sunday School curriculum for children from birth through age 2 is a developmentally appropriate introduction to the church and faith experience. Children spend time with loving adults in a classroom designed with an “ambient curriculum” in mind. Children choose their own music, reading, and art activities that reinforce each month’s theme. Topics include: My Church Family, Jesus the Baby, God’s Wonderful World, and God, My Family, and Me.

"In most religious education children are told who God is. In 'Godly Play' children discover who God is." ~ Rev. Jerome Berryman, curriculum founder

Our Sunday School curriculum for children in the Threes, Fours, TK and K classes, Godly Play, is a Montessori-based method of telling Bible stories, presenting parables and instructing children about Christian traditions. It invites listeners into the stories and encourages them to connect the stories with personal experience. Godly Play is a non-coercive way to encourage children to move into larger dimensions of belief and faith, through wondering questions and open-ended response time. It is a way of preparing children to join in the worship and life of our congregation as they develop a deeper under-standing of stories, symbols and rituals.

We continue working to encourage our children’s religious imagination with science, art and drama activities; nurturing their spiritual development through prayers, stories and songs. We give children the opportunity to express themselves and ask questions in a loving environment that demonstrates God’s love and acceptance of them. We seek to create a Ministry of Belonging to that every child knows he/she is loved by God.

Please contact Cheryl Patterson, Director of Early Childhood Ministries, 704-334-7232, ext. 52, or cpatterson@mpbconline.org with any questions.