The I Am Special Preschool 1 Program provides learning experiences based on preschool aged children’s level of understanding and ability to participate.  Through stories, songs, finger plays, games, dramatizations, lesson-related prayers, and sensorial activities, children can sense God’s love for them.  Most importantly, an enjoyable relationship between teacher and children in a religious class aids the children in forming patterns of social behavior and Christian attitudes toward others.

            This program provides numerous opportunities for the children to learn by doing, to share experiences, to talk about themselves, and to accomplish hands-on tasks.  Young children need to experience God’s love for them through the caring actions of others around them.  They need to be told that they are liked and that they belong. They are therefore happy to hear that God loves them and that God has created many good things for them to enjoy.  In this program, they will learn that God provides each of them with circumstances, qualities, talents, and capabilities that make them special.   They also learn about God’s gifts in the world around them.  The prayers each week are said as a group, beginning and ending with the Sign of the Cross.

            This program is designed to support parents in educating their children in the Catholic faith and aims to provide a foundation upon which future religious education can be built.  The books used are the I Am Special series published by Our Sunday Visitor.  You can get more information and other faith-filled activities for young children from the Our Sunday Visitor website @ www.osv.com