Torah Godly Play

​“I keep hearing mention of ‘godly play’.  What IS it?” Good question.

A few tips to understand more about Torah Godly Play and how to incorporate it in guiding your students’ learning:

Step 1:   Take a look at one or both of these videos showing Godly Play in action about the story of Exodus from Egypt.
Paradigm Project Webinar with Rabbi Michael Shire (Hebrew College)
Godly Play Foundation

• • What do you notice about the materials in these two videos?  (Available for purchase from Godly Play Foundation’s website – Volume 2 materials.)
  • Where does the teacher look during the story?  Where is the focus?  Why?
  • What do you notice about the words and the hand motions?

Step 2:   Try it out!  Get a container or natural-colored piece of fabric.  Place sand in it, cover it up. This is your story platform.  Wooden people can be found at craft stores (“peg people” like those pictured above) or from the Godly Play Foundation website.

• Use this script (Exodus Vol II Script) to tell the basic story of Exodus/Passover.
• Let go of the pressure to include EVERY detail; stick with what your children will best grasp, depending on their age, interests, etc.
• Do any of your families have wooden people toys they could donate?

Step 3:   Support the children as they explore the story through their own play.  Listen, wait, and facilitate their play by adding props, questions, various materials to express themselves.  The conclusion of the story incorporates “I wonder” statements for the children.

• “I wonder what part of the story you liked best.”
• “I wonder what part of the story is most important.”
• “I wonder what part of the story is about you or who you might be in this story.”
• “I wonder if there is any part of this story we can leave out and still have all we need.”

Step 4:   Report back to us!  What happened?  What have you noticed?  What might you adjust?
Other Resources:

The Complete Guide to Godly Play by Jerome Berryman, Volume 2 is available for purchase on Amazon.  Includes other scripts from the Torah.