I did not take a holiday yesterday from blogging or anything else. I am currently in Moshi, Tanzania, volunteering for three weeks teaching English to preschoolers. We had a lecture today on the education system and there was one point relevant to Christian Grandparenting.
The speaker encouraged us to keep speaking English to the children no matter how young, even without comprehension. He pointed out English speaking children learn the language a sound or two at a time, encouraged by those around them. At home Tanzanian children learn the family tribal language. From ages 7-14, they are taught in Swahili. After 14 they are taught in English. The ones who do best are those who have had - even in the very early preschool years - an exposure to English sounds. Subconsciously the base for English is there. So the work we do - in my case teaching the Hokey Pokey - is essential even if we will never know the results.
It occurs to me that introducing your faith to the grandchildren gives them the language to believe on their own later. Those who have never heard about God or Jesus or the Church or compassion or grace will struggle with the language when (if!) they are encounter it later life. If your interactions with the grandchildren, no matter how brief, include prayer, Bible stories and songs, even worship experiences, they will have tucked away a base for making a choice. The sounds and language will be there. As well as your care and love, supporting the care and love of God.
We probably won't be around to see the results, but we will know we planted a seed. God can water and make it grow!
Want to know about the trip? Blogging at rctanzania2014.blogspot.com
The speaker encouraged us to keep speaking English to the children no matter how young, even without comprehension. He pointed out English speaking children learn the language a sound or two at a time, encouraged by those around them. At home Tanzanian children learn the family tribal language. From ages 7-14, they are taught in Swahili. After 14 they are taught in English. The ones who do best are those who have had - even in the very early preschool years - an exposure to English sounds. Subconsciously the base for English is there. So the work we do - in my case teaching the Hokey Pokey - is essential even if we will never know the results.
It occurs to me that introducing your faith to the grandchildren gives them the language to believe on their own later. Those who have never heard about God or Jesus or the Church or compassion or grace will struggle with the language when (if!) they are encounter it later life. If your interactions with the grandchildren, no matter how brief, include prayer, Bible stories and songs, even worship experiences, they will have tucked away a base for making a choice. The sounds and language will be there. As well as your care and love, supporting the care and love of God.
We probably won't be around to see the results, but we will know we planted a seed. God can water and make it grow!
Want to know about the trip? Blogging at rctanzania2014.blogspot.com
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