Praise and Play!

Alison Harris

From The Church Times - June 2009

Alison Harris's book Praise and Play! gives 12 themed services aimed at pre-school children and their carers. Although the word liturgy does not appear in the book, a solid liturgical framework is provided. Tried and tested in a number of parish churches, the services include Gathering resources, stories relating to the Word of God, Responses through individual and group craft activities, and a Sending Out.

The stories are mainly taken from Jesus's life, but include the Good Shepherd, and the parable of the lost sheep. They build on the work of Sophia Cavalletti, and are reminiscent of Godly PIay, though the stories require less attention to carefully worked scripts. Good theological notes accompany the stories, enabling the teller to engage on a journey of discovery with the listeners.

Pre-school children have a strong sense of playful curiosity, enjoy participation and appreciate symbolism. Rather than expecting children simply to grow into worship, Harris recognises the capacity that children under 5 already have to engage in worship through play. The services lay down first memories of Jesus in clear and imaginative ways that patronise neither children nor their carers. Any church with the potential to attract a group of toddlers and a small team of three to four leaders can make this model of pre-school worship work well.

Reviewed by Dana Delap

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