What Does Character Development Look Like in Preschool?
Hello! I’m Mrs. Perona, and it’s a joy to teach our youngest Cougars in Pre-K3 at Covenant, where I’ve been blessed to serve as a teacher for the past 10 years. One of my greatest passions is helping children grow not only academically but also in Christ-like character.
Just as Jesus’ disciples were changed from being with their “teacher,” Jesus, children are shaped by the people around them and their experiences. If we want our children to develop a Christ-like character, then we must be intentional about it. The Apostle Paul told his young disciple, Timothy, “Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress” (1 Timothy 4.15 ESV). The keyword is progress! He didn’t say, “Timothy, you have to be perfect. You must have it all together all the time.” He just said, “Keep moving forward.” That was Paul’s goal, even for himself. As we grow in Christ, we also grow in character.
Character development is intentionally woven into a Prek-3-year-old’s day at CCA so that they can practice becoming more like Christ daily.
Worship
We start each day with a worship song. These worship songs become etched onto these children’s hearts. On the playground, I have seen my Pre-K3 students start singing “Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah, Praise Ye the Lord.” Other students start singing along, and the playground erupts in worship. Even after school hours end, many parents send me videos of their children singing the worship songs from class at home and playing these songs on their toy instruments. I desire that Psalm 34:1 (ESV) become part of who they are as it states, “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
Bible
Our bible curriculum is purposefully designed for our children. Our lessons are filled with questions that help our children reflect on what they’ve learned from the Bible story and how they can apply these truths. The students learn so much! A parent recently told me their daughter has learned more about the Bible in Pre-K3 than they know. Their daughter asks them to read it to her every night, which has led their family towards a deeper desire to know God’s word.
Prayer
Prayer happens continuously throughout our day. We pray after each of our Bible lessons. Usually, we pray that what our Bible story is teaching us will be evident in our lives. We pray for their families and friends. We pray for those who are sick and struggling. We pray about their behavior and the choices they make. They are learning to take everything to the Lord in prayer. In the spring of 2023, our area experienced severe tornado weather one evening. The next day, during our Bible lesson, I asked my students about what they had felt and seen. When I asked if they had been afraid, they all nodded and said, ‘Yes.’ Then I guided them to remember what we’ve learned—’Who is in control of the weather?’ I asked. Without hesitation, they answered, ‘God!’ I continued, ‘Who protects us and keeps us safe?’ Again, they said, ‘God!’ Finally, I asked, ‘How do we talk to God and ask Him to help us?’ Their sweet voices replied in unison, ‘We pray to Him!’
Honorable Character
Our Honorable Character Program is another tool we use to reinforce Christian Character development by transforming the heart to promote lasting change in behavior, thinking, and attitude. This happens when we consistently and clearly affirm their “honorable character” behavior. The students begin to understand honorable character traits. They are confident that they know what is expected of them, and they know they can do it. Positive behaviors become habits. Their behavior is changed into Christ-like behavior that can last a lifetime. You can read more about the Honorable Character Program here.
The students leave Pre-K3 learning the character of Christ through a variety of intentional practices.
To God be the Glory, they are forever changed.
As Proverbs 22:6 (ESV) states, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.”