Unit 1 is based on the book of Genesis. As the creation story gradually unfolds, the children are challenged to see and to recognize the wonders of creation that surround them. See Family Time for additional background and family activities. English Spanish Chapter 1 |  Chapter 2 |  Chapter 3 |  Chapter 4
		God Creates the Skies Learning Goals This chapter will help your child • learn that the sun, moon, stars, clouds, day, and night are gifts of God's love. • express wonder and awe at the gifts of God's creation. • become more aware of God's gifts of daytime and nighttime. • express appreciation for God's gifts of the sun, moon, stars, and clouds. • celebrate God's gifts of the sun, moon, stars, and clouds. Background Christians recognize that all is "gifts" from a loving God, - the world we live in, the family with whom we grow and share, the talents and abilities that are ours to cherish and exercise. God, our loving Creator and Parent, freely and generously gives these gifts to us out of love for us. We do not have to earn God's love. God loves us freely and unconditionally. The writers of the Old Testament recognized this. They knew that God loves first, foremost, and always. God always sees the good. That is why the story of Creation is the first experience related in the Bible. About Your Child Kindergarten children are beginning to grow in their appreciation of the world around them. They are beginning to recognize things beyond themselves. They are filled with wonder and questions about all they see, hear, taste, touch, and smell. Learning about God's love will be easier for your child if you model that love. Accepting that God made the sun, the clouds, the moon, and the stars will also be easier if your voice is filled with wonder as you discuss these gifts. Help your child begin to recognize that all things are gifts of a loving God - gifts to be unwrapped, enjoyed, cared for, and shared with others. These are gifts that they can give thanks for and cherish. Back to top
		God Creates the World Learning Goals This chapter will help your child • realize that God created the world because God loves beauty and life. • become more aware that the beauty and wonder God created exists everywhere. • deepen their appreciation of the beauty of God's world. • praise God for the gifts of creation. • celebrate an appreciation of God's natural gifts. Background In all of creation we can discover God's overflowing love. All of nature - woods, rocks, water, wind - reveals God's grandeur and boundless generosity, God's deep desire to share. Much of the beauty of life goes unnoticed. In fact, Jesus himself once said, "You have eyes but see not, ears but hear not." The hearts of children can look with wonder at a thunderstorm, a rainbow, a glint of sunlight on an autumn leaf, and a wiggling worm. With one plaything they can invent a universe! Help your child keep eyes and ears open to beauty. Invite your child to discover God's love imprinted on the universe. About Your Child This chapter involves creative movement. As you plan for this and other activities in which your child moves his or her body to praise God or demonstrate an action, be aware of the need for "personal space" during the activity. Back to top
		God Creates the Animals Learning Goals This chapter will help your child • realize that God creates animals and loves him or her. • better appreciate that animals can be friends. • learn a Bible story about God's love for animals. • deepen an appreciation for all of God's animals. • celebrate the gift of animals. Background For little children, animals may be their best friends. Many of us have witnessed a little child deep in conversation with a kitten, puppy, or even a salamander. Generally, children easily form strong bonds with animal friends. In this chapter, your child will learn that animals are gifts from a loving God, gifts that offer love. There is the opportunity to discover ways to care for domestic animals and to be responsible for their welfare. This discovery will help your child begin to reach out and understand that God calls us to be loving and caring toward all of creation. About Your Child If you live in an urban area, your child may have imaginary experiences with animals. Allow for the use of imagination when discussing animal friends. Encourage your child's independence as he or she plays games, works with craft materials, presents activities, and displays finished work. Back to top
		God Creates People Learning Goals This chapter will help your child • appreciate that God creates and loves all people. • understand that God created people who love your child. • become aware that because God and people love your child, your child has the ability to love also. • express thanks for all the gifts of God's creation. • celebrate God's gifts of creation. Background Chapter 1 of the book of Genesis affirms the joy of creation. After relating the account of the creation of the skies, the world, and the animals, and after pronouncing them all good, the creation story describes human beings as being made in the image of God. We hold a unique position in all of God's creation. As the primary creation, our purpose is one of stewardship and service, not one of dominance. We are made in God's image and must be willing to imitate God's actions. We must nourish, nurture, and care for all creation, just as God does. About Your Child Ames and Ilg, authors of Your Five Year Old: Sunny and Serene, note that five-year-olds enjoy life and often look on the sunny side of things. Five-year-olds are satisfied with themselves and adore their mothers and fathers. All this bodes well for teaching the young children about God, our Father. This chapter emphasizes the love of God for everyone. God rejoices in the tall, the short, the young, the old, the sick, the healthy, the happy, the sad, and even the grumpy. Back to top