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Behind The Scenes: An Interview With The Creators of Wee Wonder

This summer Mennonite Publishing Network will release Wee Wonder, a new curriculum for two year-olds. John Longhurst, MPN’s Director of Marketing & Sales, interviewed Wee Wonder’s creators, Chrissie Walls and Lori Steiner Jans, about the unique ways that children in this age group learn about God.

Walls creates Sunday school curriculum and coordinates the Sunday school program at the Rochester, NY Area Mennonite Fellowship. Steiner Jans is a teacher at a Christian preschool in Dayton, OH. She attends the Happy Corner Church of the Brethren and Dayton Mennonite Fellowship.

Lori Steiner-Jans (top) and Chrissie Walls (bottom)

Why is it important for the church to offer curriculum like Wee Wonder for two year-olds?

Chrissie: Two year-olds are at a unique point in their development. They are curious about everything in their world, and want to explore each thing that catches their eye. While there are commonalities between them and older preschoolers, much of their communication is still nonverbal. They need a curriculum like Wee Wonder that isn’t focused on spoken language.

Lori: Because of their developmental stage, they learn more by doing, and from the environment they are in, rather than by hearing.

Are two year-olds ready to learn about God?

Chrissie: Yes—twos are absorbing so much! They are ready and eager to learn new things. Their hearts are open and receptive. This is a wonderful time to provide them with experiences in a loving faith community, to tell them about God’s love, the Bible, and the church (perhaps for the first time). Their “spiritual vocabulary” can grow along with all the other words they are learning at this age.

Lori: Many children have a spiritual awareness at a young age. A Sunday school experience that is appropriate for their age level and learning style can provide them with a spiritual community, and help them to learn more about God.

What kinds of things can they learn about God at that age?

Chrissie: They can learn about God’s love revealed in creation, in the life of Jesus, throughout the Biblical stories, and in our relationships with other people.

Lori: They can also develop an attitude of wonder and awe about God as they learn about how God loves them, and about how God wants to have a relationship with them.

What’s the best way to teach them about God?

Chrissie: Wee Wonder uses songs, finger plays, games and sensory experiences to expand children’s understanding of God and the church. As they explore God’s world in this way, building relationships with trusted adults and new friends, they can grow in their understanding of God and Jesus.

Lori: Since two year-olds understand by doing and experiencing, they need lots of activity—they will learn more through play than by the words that are said to them. Through this they learn that God loves them.

What is the role of the wider faith community in developing spirituality in children?

Chrissie: The broader faith community can communicate God’s love by creating a safe, respectful, and loving atmosphere for children. Love for God is expressed in love for others. Children need to experience love so that they too can share love with others.

Lori: The wider faith community can provide unconditional love, safety and build relationships with the children. From these concrete experiences, they learn more about God, and can begin to name the spiritual experiences they are already experiencing.

Why are you excited about Wee Wonder?

Chrissie: I’m excited about Wee Wonder because it hones in on the unique characteristics of this age group. Each decision we made—whether about music, Bible stories, or play experiences—was guided by this developmental understanding of twos.

Lori: I like Wee Wonder because it builds on the strengths of twos. Those who work with twos can create a play environment where they can be surrounded in love and God’s word while they learn about God through all their senses.

Click here to read a press release about Wee Wonder. Wee Wonder is available as a complete curriculum for $159.99 USD/$183.99 CAD; items are also available individually. Click here for more information.