I WONDER…
The storyteller is emphatically not an actor or entertainer, but really listens to what God may be revealing to him or her, too, as the story unfolds and as the children respond. During the story, there is little eye contact. The storyteller is not the focus; instead the unfolding story is the focus. The teacher creates a sacred space but then ‘gets out of the way’ to allow the children to meet God directly. This is wonderfully powerful, and has to be seen to be believed – it turns ordinary teaching and storytelling techniques on their head and creates a compelling contemplative level of attention, even in young children.
The storyteller leads a ‘wondering’ period in response to the story or presentation.
Wondering questions may include:
The storyteller invites reflections on the story, accepting all contributions as equally valuable. There is no attempt to manipulate responses to reach the closure of a ‘teaching point’ or to explain what the story ‘really means’. This non-coercive pedagogy ensures that the children experience and learn the most vital lesson of all: that scripture holds never-ending layers of meaning for each one of us, child and adult.
When doing Godly Play at home, you might try some additional prompts for wondering:
The storyteller is emphatically not an actor or entertainer, but really listens to what God may be revealing to him or her, too, as the story unfolds and as the children respond. During the story, there is little eye contact. The storyteller is not the focus; instead the unfolding story is the focus. The teacher creates a sacred space but then ‘gets out of the way’ to allow the children to meet God directly. This is wonderfully powerful, and has to be seen to be believed – it turns ordinary teaching and storytelling techniques on their head and creates a compelling contemplative level of attention, even in young children.
The storyteller leads a ‘wondering’ period in response to the story or presentation.
Wondering questions may include:
- I wonder what you like best about this story?
- I wonder which part of the story is the most important part?
- I wonder where you are in this story?
- I wonder if there is any part we could leave out, and still have all the story we need?
The storyteller invites reflections on the story, accepting all contributions as equally valuable. There is no attempt to manipulate responses to reach the closure of a ‘teaching point’ or to explain what the story ‘really means’. This non-coercive pedagogy ensures that the children experience and learn the most vital lesson of all: that scripture holds never-ending layers of meaning for each one of us, child and adult.
When doing Godly Play at home, you might try some additional prompts for wondering:
- I wonder if this story reminds you of any of your favorite books or stories?
- I wonder if there is something in our house that reminds you of this story?
- I wonder where you see our family in this story?
- Bring out family photo albums: I wonder if any of our family’s memories remind you of something in this story?