“I keep hearing mention of ‘godly play’. What IS it?” Good question.
A few tips to understand more about Torah Godly Play and how to incorporate it in guiding your students’ learning:
Step 1: Take a look at one or both of these videos showing Godly Play in action about the story of Exodus from Egypt.
Paradigm Project Webinar with Rabbi Michael Shire (Hebrew College)
Godly Play Foundation
Step 2: Try it out! Get a container or natural-colored piece of fabric. Place sand in it, cover it up. This is your story platform. Wooden people can be found at craft stores (“peg people” like those pictured above) or from the Godly Play Foundation website.
Step 3: Support the children as they explore the story through their own play. Listen, wait, and facilitate their play by adding props, questions, various materials to express themselves. The conclusion of the story incorporates “I wonder” statements for the children.
Step 4: Report back to us! What happened? What have you noticed? What might you adjust?
The Complete Guide to Godly Play by Jerome Berryman, Volume 2 is available for purchase on Amazon. Includes other scripts from the Torah.