Children's Education
Sunday mornings September through May
Service Learning - 9:00 am to 9:45 am
4 year-olds through 5th graders in McCahan 226, second floor
Service Learning is designed to teach children about some of the mission work supported by SPC and the greater Presbyterian Church. Loosely following the children's mission yearbook, we will work on both short and long-term projects. One of our first efforts will be to adopt a child from Compassion International. Parents and other church members with ideas for future projects are encouraged to share them with our children's ministry coordinator at spcchildren@swarthmorepres.org.
Children's Choirs - 9:00 am - 9:45 am
Primary Choir (4 year olds through 1st graders) in the Lavender Room, main floor
Junior Choir (2nd through 5th graders) in the Hearth Room, lower level
Please visit our Music section for information on the children's choirs.
Church School - following A Time with Children
Children ages four through 5th grade attend the beginning portion of our 10:15 worship service with their families. Church school classes then meet following a Time with Children, about 15 minutes into the service. Toddlers are welcome in our Genesis class throughout the worship service. All classes are taught by church members who volunteer their hands and hearts to this ministry. To register your children for church school or volunteer to be a part of any teaching team and select specific dates, please use the links below.
Register for Church School | Volunteer Teacher Sign-ups (login required)
Each of our children's church school classes use the FaithWeaver curriculum. FaithWeaver is a lectionary-based program that enables us to teach children of different ages and learning styles through a variety of activities that include listening to professional audio storytelling, dramatic re-enactment, craft projects, games, snack creations, and take-home challenges. Each Sunday, classes across all age groups focus on the same Bible story and a related memory verse. The related activities and discussion help children understand what they have heard and apply the concepts to their own lives. Each child leaves class with a take-home sheet which keeps parents in the loop on what has occured in class. Classes are grouped by age, as described below:
Genesis - 2 & 3 year olds - 10:00 to 11:30 am (in the nursery, main floor)
Our youngest learners begin with playdough. After a song of greeting there is often an appearance by Theo the Theological puppet. Theo always has something with him, and children and Serena and Clair help the little ones to figure out what it has to do with the Bible Story he shares. Time for play remains a priority; games and craft activities often reinforce the message and a snack is always served.
Exodus - 4 year olds through Kindergarten - 10:30 to 11:30 am (in the Lavender Room, main floor)
The curriculum for this age group uses a puppet, Theo the puppy, to introduce the story each week. Theo has a secret box in which he hides a surprise each Sunday that corresponds with the story. The Bible story is typically presented through a professional audio storytelling that allows children to participate with dramatic activities. The class starts after a Time with Children, about 15 minutes into the 10:15 am worship service.
Leviticus - 1st & 2nd graders - 10:30 to 11:30 am (in McCahan 220, second floor)
For this age group, the morning begins with an "energizer" - a fun and movement-based introduction to the week's Bible story. The story is conveyed through interactive storytelling and discussion. Children are encouraged to learn a Bible verse through memorization games. The class starts after a Time with Children, about 15 minutes into the 10:15 am worship service.
Numbers - 3rd and 4th graders - 10:30 to 11:30 am (in McCahan 225, second floor)
Deuteronomy - 5th graders - 10:30 to 11:30 am (in McCahan 222, second floor)
Our older elementary children often spend their class time Sunday morning working in pairs or small groups to solve problems and brainstorm ideas. They use a student guide, Bible Truth Sleuth, to apply concepts from the Bible story to their own lives and to provide some structure for reflection. The class starts after a Time with Children, about 15 minutes into the 10:15 am worship service.
Summer Schedule - June through Labor Day
Our summer schedule starts in June and lasts through the first weekend in September (Labor Day Weekend). Sunday morning offerings for children include Childcare for infants and toddlers and up to age three in the nursery during the 10:15 am worship service. For children ages four through 2nd grade there is a Chrstian enrichment program after a Time with Children, (about 15 mintues into the 10:15 am worship service) that generally includes a movie and related activity.