HELP!!! TRADITIONAL Orthodox Christian pre-school education

Tessa · Post by **Tessa** » Fri 14 November 2003 10:52 pm

I am helping out teaching Sunday school at my Serbian church. Nobody has any clue what they're doing and I am trying to contribute. All the material we have is bad, in my opinion. Mostly from Antiochian and OCA, no offense but I have a difference of opinion with MUCH of the content and way it's presented and the underlying ecumenicism. One book on the Divine Liturgy suggested kids bring crayons into church to draw during the liturgy. While another one thing I read suggested activities for older kids, including visiting a synagouge to compare their worship service!!!

Come on! Don't we have anything better than that out there. I am thinking about pulling out anyway. I am missing like a half hour of the liturgy which I think will be detrimental to my kids when they grow up, because they will EXPECT to come to church late. But father keeps promising he's going to change the time schedule so it will be completely beofre church. PLEASE HELP BY REFERENCING BOOKS, WEBSITES, IDEAS, ETC.

in Christ
tessa

Daniel · Post by **Daniel** » Sat 15 November 2003 9:28 am

Tessa,

You might want to try St. John of Kronstadt Press. They have a section of children's books. There is also a link in the 'Portal' section of the cafe.

One book inparticular that I would suggestion is the Law of God by Fr. Seraphim Sloboskoy. Granted it may be better for older children, none-the-less, it's an excelent book.

Daniel

Natasha · Post by **Natasha** » Sat 15 November 2003 10:08 am

SrbMama wrote, "One book on the Divine Liturgy suggested kids bring crayons into church to draw during the liturgy. While another one thing I read suggested activities for older kids, including visiting a synagouge to compare their worship service!!! "

That is insane!!! I can hardly believe how much things have changed since I was a child, and I am only 27. It is only on rare occassions that I see children behaving appropriately these days-I can't stand to see children with crayons, books, toys & (the worst) food in church during services !
Don't dare to correct a child either--the parents will correct you for disturbing their little darlings!

& on a side note, welcome tessa !

Tessa · Post by **Tessa** » Wed 19 November 2003 9:48 pm

Thank you both Daniel and Natasha for your responses. As for St. John of Kronstadt Press, I actually started ordering from him a few weeks ago after I met his son, Father Matthew, and his wife. He really has a great selection and I was very happy with the tape and CD that I ordered. As for The Law of God, my friend actually runs Orthodoxgifts.com where it's advertised so I will have to get it now that it is recommended here. Thank you very much for your posts and pray for me to do my best to guide the children and myself.

In Christ
Tessa