Observations from the Book Festival Activity Room

Yesterday, at the book festival, I spent part of the day in the activity room. We had about 10 (I think) 4 foot round tables set up in a space about the size of the Artisan sanctuary. Each table seated eight. There was also seating for 15 in front of the room for presentations.

Each table held two activites with instructions and the two sample crafts displayed in the middle and the neccessary materials. We set up a puppet theater with fuzzy puppets in another corner of the room. The under 3's liked the puppet theater and the Pre-K to Elementary school children could use the theater with the puppets they made.

We had a variety of activities targeting kids preschool to middle school. Many of the activites could be easily stretched for younger and older children. I figure about 80 parents and children at a time were rotating through the room between 10 am and 4 in the afternoon. About 1500 people attended the festival.

The room was incredibly quiet. Kids were very well behaved. If they weren't (which was rare even right before lunchtime) the parents took them out. I'd say parents averaged 30's and 40's (some older and some younger- male and female.)

Though most tables were rarely empty, we cleaned up tables as people left and straightened and replenished materials which only took a couple of seconds. Most people cleaned up after themselves. I'd say that most people spent 20 minutes per table. Many families went to more than one table.

Now, book festivals are apt to draw parents and children who like books. That's what they had in common. The Rochester Area Children's Writers and Illustrators worked with the Rochester City School District this year so I think there was a mix of Greater Rochester and City families.

Incredibly quiet and orderly. I had to ask myself, why! Because this model is so similar to what's happening in the sanctuary at Artisan on Sunday nights, I thought it was an observation worth blogging.

I suspect that the reason "why" is that every child is engaged. Very, very engaged. Each child had seven other children and adults within an arm's length, direction, help, materials, an age appropriate challenge and creative alternatives to choose from. They were creating. I think it's also the reason a guided-discovery/movement ed approach worked so well in my preschool gym classes.

What if.... each table was creating a project together or a part of a project to join with the projects that were being created at the other tables? The noise level would grow, but one the objectives of a model like this would be that social/community element. Children middle elementary and up would be especially ready for something like this for special projects.

...maybe we are a guild!

Book Festival at MCC tomorrow!

There's a Rochester Children's Book Festival at MCC tomorrow (Sat. November 5).

It's free. There are lots of activities and lots of story telling. You don't have to buy books, but if you do you can get them signed! If you buy children's books for Christmas presents, I highly recommend it. It's a fun annual Greater Rochester event for area children and their grown-ups.

Check out the website for more information: www.rochesterchildrensbookfestival.org/

[I don't know why the link lingo isn't working this time, Tyler...] I actually created a working link in the text on the Artisan Writer's Guild blog (artisanwriters.blogspot.com). We'll keep working on this.

Near-sighted?

I'm thinking that as a culture (both in the church and out) we're very very near-sighted. We don't focus on how the things we do will affect generations into the future - or even one generation into the future. Maybe I'm being short-sighted to say that.

It would be interesting to look at the fruit of generations and cultures who do focus their strength and energy on equipping future generations (if there is such a thing).

Artisan Kids - a Guild?

This site is listed with Artisan guilds in the worship folder ie. you might consider "kids" an area of specialization. Part of the thinking on that, is the hope that people or groups of people will step up and say, "let's do ___ with the kids (or for the kids)".

Do you have an idea for children? (music, drama, dance, art, science, sports, carnival, crafts, culture, history, language arts, people, etc) Are you willing to gather the help and the resources and make it happen?

Let's make it happen or plan it and send invitations! Consider the upcoming Advent/Christmas season a perfect opportunity!

What's God doing?

Do you talk about what you see God doing in postmodern churches? Don't know. Here's your chance! We've been including kids in worship since the end of August. It's November. It may be a little early for this, but what do you see God doing in you and in your kids as a direct result of sharing worship together and doing it the way we've been doing it? Tell us how old they are and male/female. You can share comments you've heard from other people, too if you want: the good, the bad, and the ugly...