About Our Church School Ministry
Our children's ministries seek offer children experiences that are intentionally structured to help them grow and mature in their faith in God through Jesus Christ. The Bible is central to their church school experiences. We are committed to working with children using developmentally appropriate activities based on children’s ages and stages. Click here to download a brochure.
A wonderful characteristic of our Children’s Ministry is that the teachers who staff the church-school classes come from all areas of the church life, not just the parents of children in the class.
VBS CAMP 2013
Everywhere Fun Fair
July 15-18 4:15-6:15 pm
Age 3 - entering 4th grade
Volunteers: entering 5th grade to age 99
Hosted by:
First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette
Where God's World Comes Together
Where children experience the love of Jesus, meet welcoming friends from the Bible, and reach out to their neighbors from around the world. Each day they will encounter ways to love and serve God and be a neighbor to the world. For more information and to download a brochure click here.
INFANT AND TODDLER NURSERY
The Infant and Toddler Nursery offers a wonderful, caring, and safe environment for our youngest children, from birth to two years old. The nursery is staffed with two professional caregivers each Sunday from 8:45 a.m. to noon. They give each child the best possible care during worship activities each week. From time to time, congregational volunteers assist to ensure an appropriate ratio of caregivers to children. The nursery is full of toys, books, and equipment, offering the children a smooth transition. The nursery is located on the landing just half a flight of stairs from the sanctuary and balcony.
Son Shine Tots Weekday Playtime
Childreln who can walk, to age three, along with a parent or caregiver.
Son Shine Tots meets on Thursdays from 10-11:00 a.m. They gather on the playground or in the preschool room for songs, a Bible story, playtime, and snack. There is no registration or cost involved, just come and bring a friend.
Twos and Threes
Two years old, or three after Sept.1
The Time for Twos and Threes class is where children are first introduced to Bible stories. This room is staffed with adult volunteers (parents, grandparents, and other members), occasionally assisted by senior and junior high students. The teachers have a selection of wonderful stories and illustrations to introduce children to the Bible, perfect for our youngest learners with the busy little minds and bodies typical of two-year-olds. In addition, the room has toys and books to keep the children busy. The worship service is available over the sound system in this room for parents who don't want to miss the service but need to stay in the room. The Time for Twos and Threes classroom is located on the upper level, just steps from the balcony.
Threes and Fours Preschool
Three years old by Sept. 1
After gathering together for a brief children’s sermon during the Young Disciples time (early in the 10:00 a.m. Worship Service), three- and four-year-old children are brought to their room on the lower level to begin their church school day. Preschoolers hear Bible stories and verses, sing Bible songs, and play with puppets and sets depicting biblical stories such as the Nativity and Noah’s ark. In addition, they usually participate in a brief craft or art project to reinforce the Bible story or theme. They experience simple prayer during story time and before snack time. Play, interaction, socialization, and the beginnings of structured classes begin with the help of parents and other adult volunteers. The threes and fours are also invited to participate in the annual Christmas pageant with the older children.
Kindergarten
Five years old by September 1
Kindergartners also gather together for Young Disciples in the worship service and then proceed to their room on the lower level, next to the Threes and Fours Preschool class. For church school study, the kindergartners’ explore a biblical idea taught in a variety of ways: through role playing a Bible story, art projects, singing, and cooking.
As the church school year progresses, the children begin to understand the Bible and its importance as the word of God. They have the opportunity to pray together as they learn the lesson of the day and its message to them. The children begin to share ideas and thoughts with parents and siblings through art projects, retelling lessons learned. Kindergartners enjoy participating in the annual Christmas pageant through song and voice as they begin to understand the season of Advent and birth of Jesus.
Workshop Rotation
Grades One Through Six
Workshop rotation is a teaching method featuring the study of Bible stories taught through a variety of styles, applying the latest educational research in workshop format. It offers the opportunity to learn about God and Jesus Christ using multiple intelligences.
After attending a gathering time where the Bible story is introduced, children attend weekly workshops that teach students the Bible story many different ways to involve them more deeply in the story. Generally, workshops and intelligences included the following:
- Bible knowledge (verbal and linguistic skills: writing, telling, reading)
- Movies (visual, linguistic) and popcorn!
- Art (visual, spatial, kinesthetic)
- Drama (kinesthetic, interpersonal skills)
- Cooking (tasting!)
- Puppetry (visual, spatial, kinesthetic)