Early Childhood Education: September 2009

Year of the Priest

By Anne E. Neuberger

In this Year of the Priest, introduce children to a priest who was a saint—and whose story is particularly appealing to children. St. John Bosco (1815-1888) was an extraordinary child who became on exceptional priest. Below is a story of his life. Each section contains suggestions for having children mime the actions in the story as an adult reads it. They do not need props.  Consider choosing several children for each section of the story to do the acting, so everyone gets to act and to be the audience.

PART 1:

Long ago in Italy, there was a wonderful little boy name John. His family worked very hard on their farm. Still, they were poor. His mother was a kind and holy woman. She loved her children and taught them that God loved them too.

John was an especially happy boy who cared about others. He was full of energy, and he was very smart. He could also juggle! He taught himself to do magic tricks! And he could walk on a tightrope!

SUGGESTION: Have three children pretend to work in a field; one to juggle, one to do magic tricks and another to walk a tight rope.

PART 2:
When John was eighteen years old, he wanted to study to become a priest. When he left home to go to the school, he wore hand-me-down clothes because his family could not afford new ones. Of course, he had to work so he could afford school. But with all his energy and talents, and his big smile, John found many jobs. He made candy, managed a restaurant, fixed shoes, and his favorite: he put on one-man shows with juggling and other things.

SUGGESTION: Have children mime these jobs.

PART 3:
John soon discovered there were many children in the city who were poorer than he had ever been. They were hungry, lonely and cold. John felt so sad. He knew in his heart that God wanted him to help these children.

But how? First he had to get them to trust him. So, he juggled. Some children came to watch. He did magic tricks. More children came. He walked on a tightrope. And more children came. John gave them a picnic, and prayed with them. He talked with them about Jesus. Sometimes they went to Mass with him. Soon there were many children ready for John’s help.

SUGGESTION: Some children can mime hunger, others mime being cold; one child can be John, doing his tricks and praying with the children, the first children can watch him and pray with him.

PART 4:
John finished his studies and became a priest. Working very hard, he found places for the children to live. He took care of them in many ways: he taught them to read, he played ball with then, and he showed them that he knew each one was smart and good. Fr. John sang with them, helped with homework, and cooked. He even cut their hair! Most importantly, he taught them what he had always known: that God loves us and wants us to come to love God too.

SUGGESTION: Have children mime John’s actions and have some be the children with him.

DISCUSSION SUGGESTIONS:

Who taught John that God loved him?

What were some of the things John could do?

Why did John help the hungry children in his city?

Visit Anne Neuberger's web site! www.anneneuberger.com