Age and Stage frameworks

Developmental Markers for Learning

Need for Love and Security

Curiosity

Busy Exploration

Standards for Spiritual Learning

• I can learn God/Jesus loves me.
• I can learn that God made me and everything around me.
• I can learn that the Bible is a special book about God.
• The love and care I receive from those around me plants seeds that grow into my view of God.

Bible Readiness

At this early stage,  children are building an awareness of God and the Bible. Every interaction with ideas of God and faith are seeds planted in their hearts. These seeds include:

• Simple Bible Storytelling
• Bible and Worship Songs
• Rituals and Repetition 

Key Bible Stories and Concepts

While life-application is important, imaginative engagement around the stories should come first, especially for young learners (Short, 2011). 

Creation - God made me and everything around me.

Noah's Ark - Rainbows remind us of God's love.

David and Goliath - God helps me to be strong when I'm scared.

The Christmas Story - At Christmas, we celebrate Jesus' birthday.

Jesus' Miracles - Jesus can do amazing things!

The Easter Story - At Easter, we celebrate how much Jesus loves us.

(Bredekamp, 2019), (Fowler, 1995), (Bergin & Bergin, 2017), (Vischer, 2020)

Developmental Markers for Learning
Social Connection
Curiosity
Sensory Exploration
Individual and Cooperative Play
Response to Rituals and Repetition

Standards for Spiritual Learning

• I can learn that God is loving and caring.
• I can understand that God is real and think of Him as my friend.
• I can learn to share God’s love by being kind and caring to others.
• I can pray and sing songs to God.
• I can understand the Bible is an important book about God, filled with wonderful stories.

Bible Readiness
At this stage, children are curious and eager to learn new things but it is crucial to make sure content is age-appropriate. Continue planting seeds of faith including:

• More Detailed (age-appropriate) Bible Storytelling
• Play-Based Engagement with Bible Stories
• Rituals that Create Meaning Around God, Jesus, and the Bible

Key Bible Stories and Concepts

While life-application is important, imaginative engagement around the stories should come first, especially for young learners (Short, 2011).
Creation - God made me and everything around me special.
Noah's Ark - Rainbows remind us of God's love.

Moses - God is always with me.
David and Goliath - God helps me to be brave when I'm scared.

Jonah and the Whale - God gives second chances.
The Christmas Story - At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, God's Son.
Jesus' Miracles - Jesus has the power to do amazing things!
The Easter Story - At Easter, we remember that Jesus died on the cross because He loves us.
The Fruit of the Spirit - When we follow our friend, Jesus, we grow and show good things in our actions like love, joy, peace, and patience.

(Bredekamp, 2019), (Fowler, 1995), (Bergin & Bergin, 2017), (Vischer, 2020)

Developmental Markers for Learning

Creativity

Problem-Solving

Responsibility

Questioning

Energy

Standards for Spiritual Learning

• I know I can talk to God, and wonder "why?" when my prayers aren't answered.
• I am exploring a relationship with Jesus and seeking answers about Him.
• I can understand there are right and wrong actions, established by moral and Biblical standards.
• I can understand the Bible is inspired by God and is filled with amazing true stories. 
• I'm learning that God's story is part of my story and it connects to the world around me.
• I enjoy rituals and rhythms; symbols and ceremonies.
• I rely on my trusted grownups to help me explore and grow in my faith.

Bible Readiness

Elementary age kids are at a prime age for learning about God and the Bible. While it's important to continue with developmentally appropriate content, kids at this stage are ready to dig deeper. Continue planting and cultivating seeds of faith including:

• Sharing the Full Bible/Gospel Narrative
• Engaging in Broader Conversations Around God, Jesus, and the Bible
• Encourage Spiritual Practices: Regular Bible Reading, Prayer, Worship, Service

Key Bible Stories and Concepts

While life-application is important, imaginative engagement around the stories should come first (Short, 2011).

Creation - God made me and everything around me special and with a purpose.

Adam and Eve - God will help me ignore the whispers of sin and choose His way.

Noah's Ark - God can help me when I need a fresh start.

Joseph - God can use hard things for good.

Moses - I can do hard things because God is always with me.

Ruth - God loves it when I show love.

David and Goliath - God will give me the strength to face scary things.

Esther - God will help me stand up for what's right.

Jonah and the Whale - God gives me second chances to do what's right.

The Christmas Story - At Christmas, we celebrate the arrival of our Savior, Jesus.

Jesus' Miracles - Jesus has the power to do amazing things! 

The Disciples - God asks us to share His good news with others.

The Easter Story - At Easter, we remember that Jesus died on the cross to take the consequence for our sin because He loves us. I can be God's friend because Jesus died for me.

The Fruit of the Spirit - When we follow Jesus, His spirit helps us grow and show good things in our actions like love, joy, peace, and patience.

Age-Appropriate Definitions

Sin - Sin is when we choose our own way instead of God's way. 

The Gospel - The Gospel is God's "Good News"; His plan to rescue His children from sin so we can be His friend. The Bible says the consequence for sin is death (yikes!) so God sent His Son, Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. Jesus took our punishment on Himself because He loves us so much! The Good News is God's love! All we have to do is believe and receive God's gift of love.

Grace - Speaking of gifts . . . "grace" is a gift we can't earn. It's something we receive that we didn't deserve. Because of our sin, we don't deserve God's gift but He gives it anyway because He loves us so much!

Salvation - Salvation is the gift God has given us. He has saved us from the consequence of our sin.

(Bredekamp, 2019), (Fowler, 1995), (Bergin & Bergin, 2017), (Vischer, 2020)