Alice Jacobs and Ermina C. Lincoln

“ Interest It is needless to say that the program of the Beginners' Department should be interesting. These little people have not the power to give voluntary attention. Their attention must be called forth by the teacher, and this is possible only through interest. Knowledge of the child's general interests and recognition of any immediate interest, such as Christmas or Valentine's Day, will aid the teacher in planning her program. ”

“ It is just that need which this element of the program is designed to meet. Since it is the teacher's aim to win lives for Christ, not by force, but by love, there must be in every Sunday-school some expression of personal interest. Accordingly in the Beginners' Department there are greetings and goodbyes and the informal conversation. Birthdays, new pupils, the return of absent pupils, new babies, are recognized and everything is done to give the children a happy time. ”

“ If time and equipment permit the children may now do some simple handwork, which will emphasize the lesson taught. Pasting and crude drawing are often possible in connection with thelesson. For instance, if the Beginners' lesson was on helpfulness, the children may paste or draw something suggestive of helpfulness, such as a broom, indicative of a way that a child can help mother. Any handwork which is planned for the Beginners must be extremely simple. ”

“ Since the Sunday-school is a school for the study of God's Word, the element of instruction is very important. InstructionThis phase of the work includes not only the lesson of the day, but the teaching of texts and songs and prayers and instruction relative to prayer and praise, missions and giving.
II. Adaptation
The adaptation of a program to the interests and needs of those for whom it is planned is always a vital consideration. In view of our study of the Beginners, certain characteristics should mark the program of the Beginners' Department. ”

“ ArticulationCertain things in a program bear a relationship to certain others. This relationship will be felt if the parts of the program are properly articulated. When they have been thus put together, the program should proceed in an orderly, natural way, without sudden transitions or loss of time and energy, and with a smoothness and deliberation which give a feeling of rest. When things are done in the right order and in the right way, there is always a sense of leisure and quiet. ”

“ The children may say together some such text as this, "I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord." Or, "This is the day which the Lord hath made. We will rejoice and be glad in it." The children like to sing about the church bells calling people to church:
""Come! Come! People, come! ”

“ Program outlined.
Pre-session preparation. Quiet. March with chairs to circle. Morning circle. Greetings and Good Morning song. Informal talk. Counting children. Welcome to new children, Welcoming back of absentees. Birthday recognition. Cradle Roll recognition. Prayer. New song introduced, or Talk, story or exercise preparing for thought of the day. Offering. Texts about God's day or God's house. Song, "Church Bells." Playing going to church. Prayer. Songs. The lesson. Prayer. Song. Handwork. Circle games and Good-bye song. 2. Program elaborated. ”