Godly Play for Schools in Scotland
Godly Play helps to do RME differently.
It slows down the pace and gives children a safe space to think 'big'.
There is a story and then silence. Then space to wonder individually and together about the story. Answers are not given. Instead, open wondering is welcomed.
It enables children to make connections for themselves.
Godly Play builds community and is open to the unexpected.
Godly Play is an approach to education that ...
... promotes knowledge, respect, empathy and looks to support the needs of the whole child.
Everyone has a chance to speak for themselves or to think silently. It develops language, communication and thinking skills.
There is depth and reflection in each Godly Play session and it gives children time and space to learn.
Godly Play is multi-sensory, using visual, auditory and kinaesthetic approaches to learning. It promotes originality, independent choice and decision making.
“Godly Play is an engaging way to deliver the curriculum to children, the ‘wondering’ is great for developing the children's thinking skills.”
Stephanie Scott, St Joseph's RC Primary School, Aberdeen
“I like how I can look at the story, as well as listen to the story. My favourite stories are the People of God stories in the desert.”
Sophie, Primary School Pupil, Aberdeen
Fitting into school life
From the celebrations of Christmas and Easter, the big stories of the Old Testament, the life and work of Jesus and Christian traditions, Godly Play offers something for each of the RME Experiences and Outcomes in the Curriculum for Excellence.
The experiential discovery method, which engages the child’s hands, heart, mind, senses and intuition, is key to exploring, developing knowledge and understanding the place of Christianity in the Scottish context.
Whilst the stories are shared from the Christian perspective, some of the stories shared are so big that they are also known in other religious traditions.
Godly Play stories can be used as part of a themed day or a class project.
Or perhaps it could work outside of school hours, as part of an after school group.