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Resources & Materials
Thoughts and tips about purchasing, making and using story materials
Faith & Play: Quaker Stories for Friends Trained in the Godly Play Method
The first volume in a new series of Montessori-inspired lesson stories created by Friends to help children find words and images for expressing their experiences of holy mystery and wonder in their lives. The stories are available in a printed version and, at lower cost, in downloadable .pdf format. Purchase Printed Version Now >
Purchase Downloadable .pdf Version Now >
Quality
Story materials should be of the nicest quality you can buy or create, and simple in their color and shape. Wood is preferable to plastic, and simplicity of form leads to children using their imagination more fully.
Approach
When working with story materials, be tender and gentle. Your respect for the materials and for the story is important modeling for the children.
Resources
Quaker Figures I and II from Quaker Cottage Industries
These simple wooden figures are central to many Faith & Play stories.
- Quakers I are simple wooden representations of adult and children Quakers (2 of each) in traditional grey complete with felt hats and bonnets. A figure representing John Woolman in undyed clothing is also included.
- Quakers II are five additional Quaker play figures in various sizes.
With felt hats and bonnets removed, either set of Quaker Cottage Industries figures can be used to represent present-day Friends in Faith & Play stories. We suggest you stain the faces different shades to reflect the diversity of our human community.
These figures may be purchased from QuakerBooks of Friends General Conference. Order now >
Faith & Play Creations
Complete sets of materials for telling Faith & Play stories are currently being crafted by Faith & Play Creations. Materials for Gifts and for The Mary Fisher Story are already available through QuakerBooks of Friends General Conference, and more story sets will be available by May or June of 2009. Order now >
Young Children and Worship, by S. Stewart and J. Berryman
Many of the stories in this volume are very similar to ones in the Godly Play® volumes, and helpful patterns are provided at the back of the book for creating many story materials. Order now >
Story and Classroom Materials at Worship Woodworks
From this website you can order story sets, baskets, trays, felt, and many other materials for your classroom. This site supports both Godly Play® and Young Children and Worship programs. (Many of the stories in Young Children and Worship, created by Sonja Stewart and Jerome Berryman, are very similar to the Godly Play® stories.) Visit their website or call 888-689-6757.
Local Commercial Stores
Wooden doll bases, available from craft stores, may be used to create simple figures for Faith & Play stories. Wooden flooring samples are sometimes available from flooring stores; these can be used for the Prayer and Friends Meeting for Worship Story. Carpet squares for your classroom are often available at reasonable prices at flooring stores, perhaps at a discount if you buy in bulk and explain how they will be used.
Local Artists
If you are not “crafty,” look to others within your meeting. There may well be someone who is a woodworker, painter, sculptor, or craftsperson who would be delighted to serve the children of the meeting by creating story materials. Even if you are proficient at crafting your own materials, you might want to invite others to contribute to the life of the meeting in this way. It could be a blessing to someone.
Godly Play® Resources
The Faith & Play teacher will, naturally, also be telling Godly Play® stories. Godly Play® Resources carries story sets for Godly Play® stories. You may purchase them or use them as a guide when creating your own story materials. (There are great pictures of materials at this site!) Visit their website or call 800-445-4390.
