Preschoolers are forced to make something that represents someone else's idea of creativity, not their own. Their completed craft looks the same as every other child's. The focus is on the finished result, not the exploration of materials and expression. The activity in the curriculum materials focus more on the act of creating, not the resulting picture or product. Teachers can use the child's involvement in the activity as a teaching moment, directly relating biblical truths to what the child is doing, connecting the Bible to the child's life.
Preschoolers enjoy art experiences.
By providing blank paper and crayons or other materials that they can use to express their own ideas, teachers give them an opportunity to create what is meaningful to them that day. You could suggest they draw a picture of ways they can help or a picture of something they remember about Jesus. If they choose to draw something else, that's okay. You can still use the creative experiences to teach Bible truths. Scott Wiley is a Preschool Biblical Studies Specialist at LifeWay.