Friday, 6 March 2015

A Different Way To Learn About Religion

I'm not religious. I don't have a firm belief in a God, although I tend to label myself as somewhere between Agnostic and Atheist. I do however think it's really important that my children learn about people's religions and how to respect them. These are important life skills. Today my 6 year old learnt a lot about the Christian religion, today he took part in a mock Church wedding.

A different way to learn about Christianity


The wedding was held at the church local to school, parents and friends were invited, and the sun shone specially. Each child was given a role of participant or relative, and they all took it very seriously. My son was an Usher, and spent ages practising asking "Bride or Groom" whilst gesturing with his hand. No-one waved or chatted, and there was genuine relief from all of the children when the vicar announced 'I now pronounce you Bride and Groom'.

Smart 6 year old

I think it is a really interesting way for children to learn about a religion, customs, tradition and ceremony, and it's also a fabulous way to encourage reluctant children to take part and come out of their shells - and of couse it's a great excuse to dress up in your best clothes - unless you are the one playing the Chimney Sweep. But don't they all look handsome!

Handsome young men A Wedding chimney sweep

As well as the wedding ceremony the children had their school lunches served to them by waiters and then spent the afternoon at the disco, and everyone brought home a slice of wedding cake. They all had a great time, and I'm really impressed with the school for thinking outside the box a little, and making learning so much fun.


I had permission from the other children's families to post the photo.

12 comments:

  1. I love this school activity! So fun and the school did it right! They even have the disco and wedding cake! Nice one!

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    1. I know, it's so sweet. The children had a fantastic day too :)

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  2. Oh wow! What a great way to learn about different cultures and the events they celebrate. Love your son's hair! x

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    1. It is a great thing to do, so much better than reading in books - and so much more memorable!
      He's saying he'll let me trim a bit off - it's gone beyond wild!

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  3. What a lovely idea. Our school has never done anything like this.

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    1. It's so sweet, I'm really impressed with it. It's the 3rd year our school have done it, and I think they'll carry it on indefinitely because it is so valuable for the children.

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  4. What a fabulous fun thing to do! You're so right that fun and practical ways of learning are the most effective.

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    1. You know it! I think it's a great thing, they all really enjoyed it - as did we! :)

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  5. I think that is such a brilliant idea and there is so much scope for sharing different religious ceremonies in a fun way for kids to enjoy. I'm all for anything that encourages children to understand different cultures from an early age. He looks lovely too.

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    1. He does, bless him :) I think it's really great, I hope that it's a measure of things to come :)

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  6. This is such a great idea, I always find Ethan learns so much more through doing than just sitting and hearing about these things. It sounds like they all had such a great time - why was there a chimney sweep there?!

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    1. The chimney sweep is really traditional! He's for good luck. My parents had one at their wedding, and there's one in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, so it's not even regional, I tink it's just died out :)

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