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 Children's Work Theory & Practice

Archive - Book Titles reviewed - T

The Growth of Love - Understanding Five Essential Elements of Child Development by Keith J. White The forward being written by the great Sir Richard Bowlby immediately indicates that this is a book that students connecting child care and theology will want to read. However, White himself downplays his academic contribution on the basis that it is the reflections of a practitioner rather than a substantial research project. Over a hundred years of the White family’s lives have been spent in community with damaged children at Mill Grove, the home at the centre of the book. Therefore White has both depth and humanity to offer the reader in this exploration of child development, not a process to be copied but rather a way of life that allows love to grow. Review by Naomi Nixon  (28/05/11)

The Story of REinspired - Developing Creative Partnerships Between Churches and Schools by David Skinner, Paul Haynes and Jane Earl Taking the key principles in developing a purposeful relationship between the local church and local schools, this book offers experienced insight to inspire more creative approaches to engaging with schools and resourcing RE sessions. The first part takes measurable steps to focus on getting started from a realistic starting point, remaining open to what the working relationship brings forth as respect deepens and partnership emerges. Having that understanding in place, the second part looks at how to apply it to the activities with children; it includes an appendix of session ideas and helpfully addresses some of the challenges that are always present when working with children. Most chapters conclude with reflective questions to prompt the reader to think further and consider these issues in the context of their own setting. Throughout the book the story of the original group of churches that became REinspired helps remind readers that this is tried and tested, whilst encouraging other churches to take positive steps to begin the journey for themselves. Review by Siân Hancock  (16/08/11)

Through the Eyes of a Child - New Insights in Theology from a Child’s perspective by Edited by Anne Richards & Peter Privett To mark the thirtieth anniversary of the United Nations International Year of the Child, this book has been published by Church House Publishing (C of E). The reader must judge whether the contributors to this volume have succeeded in their aim of seeing religious experience through the eyes of a child. Perhaps more importantly the essayists address the still problematic issues of the theology of childhood, children’s theological insights, childhood spirituality, and so on. In spite of decades of observation there still does not seem to be an agreed understanding of the religious development of the child, and certainly no consensus on how that development relates to the adult, and adult religious development. This is a work in progress. Review by Ian Gibbs  (12/10/09)

Top Tips - On Worshipping with under-5s - Practical Pointers for Anyone Working with Children by Alison Dayer This is a short guide (only 30 pages) making it an ideal book to buy if you were thinking of starting a regular worship session for under 5s. This handy little book could be quickly read and digested by your team. This book will help you work through the whole process of planning a regular under 5s worship slot. It includes thinking about your venue, the music you will use, the time you have and how to structure it, how to do the Bible story and how to pray. For leaders who don’t manage to read the whole 30 pages there is a single page at the back containing ten Top Tips. It is all useful and sensible advice, especially good if you are new to working with this age group. If you are a seasoned professional then you might not learn anything new but it is always useful to be reminded of the ground rules. It is easy when working with this age group to spend too long, use complicated language and try too many new things! One thing missing from this book is the parents. Under 5s tend to be accompanied by a parent or carer to any worship session they might attend. Parents will be joining in with worshipping with their children. This book seems to forget about the parents – make sure you don’t! Review by Kathy Bland  (06/02/12)

Top Tips on Prompting Prayer - Practical pointers for anyone working with Children and Young People by Sarah Bingham and Vickie Blyth A great book to encourage us all to use creative ways to pray. It is difficult enough for some adults to sit still to pray – let alone children. So this book gives lots of ideas and examples of practical ways to pray but also stresses the principles behind prayer. Though it is a book for those working with children and young people, some elements of the book could be adapted to teach children about the importance of prayer. It’s also full of real life examples of prayer methods which were effective, which are an encouragement to all. It is written in a very easy to digest style and concise enough to read in one sitting, but also very good to dip in and out of. Review by Ann Evans  (16/03/09)

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