Godly Play: An Imaginative Approach to Religious Education

by Jerome W. Berryman

A practical yet innovative approach to religious education -- becoming childlike in order to teach children. Godly Play invites us to consider spiritual development as a process in which the creative spirit is alive in the education of both young and old. Berryman awakens us to new ways of seeing ourselves and helps us to discover "our deep identity as Godly creatures."

Genres: Childrens

Paperback

First published February 1, 1991

About the author

Dr. Berryman is presently Director the Center for the Theology of Childhood, which is part of the Godly Play Foundation, established in late 2007. This is the research center for the Godly Play Foundation and is located in Denver. It includes an extensive library and a well-equipped Godly Play room.

Reviews

[Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author's name is Jerome Berryman, not Jermone. Seriously, Goodreads?

Anyway, JEROME Berryman is a genius, and Godly Play is by far the best curriculum for children in the church. I've also used it with adults, and it worked pretty well there too, with some adaptation. The training for Godly Play seems expensive, but it is worth it.

[Rachel Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were times this book felt heady, and some of the philosophy bits were a little lost on me, but Berryman’s commitment to showing children how to love God is obvious. And while his techniques are vastly different from my own, I found it extremely interesting.
I will be working through some ways to use Berryman’s methods in my own ministry

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, because I love the concept of this book. In the end, I feel like I would have learned more from more practical descriptions of how these concepts were put into practice -- the second half got a little heady and philosophical for me. But I love the emphasis on imagination and creative, and the affirmation that children wrestle with existential questions of life and have deep insight just like adults do.

[Robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was very informative & Berryman sure knows his stuff! I liked his story of teaching the kids, or the synopsis of a "typical" church-school lesson, how he got into Montessori-style learning, and certain histories & back stories of things. I guess I'm more of the story-type than the description-type.

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Berryman's Montessori style approach to religious education is amazing. Godly Play has been adapted by the Unitarian Universalists as "Spirit Play" and we love it. Recommended to educators, religious or non.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

let children's interruptions in the lesson be learning opportunities

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An different approach worth considering and implementing.