So we celebrate pentecost in kindergarten!

So we celebrate Pentecost in kindergarten!

Out: childhood 2000, Issue 2, pp. 18-19

This is how we celebrate Pentecost in kindergarten!

Martin R. Textor

St. Martin, Nikolaus, Christmas, Easter – almost every kindergarten celebrates these celebrations. It’s different with Pentecost, although there are many activities that could be done with children. This church festival is somewhat more difficult to access; a lot of customs have also been lost. But it can also be brought up to kindergarten children .

The word "Pentecost" is derived from the Greek and later taken over by the Romans "pentecoste" off, translated "the 50th day". The ancient Israelite people celebrated Thanksgiving on the 50th day after the grain harvest began. Today is the Pentecost on the 50th day after Easter. On this day the foundation of the Church of Christ is celebrated – the New Covenant:

We commemorate this event at Pentecost. This festival developed as early as the 4th century AD. In addition to the Christian background, other elements have been associated with Pentecost over the centuries: For example, in past regions, after the service on Pentecost Sunday, the beginning of pasture was celebrated – with a Pentecost banquet, where people ate, drank, danced and played. Equestrian games were often organized: the boys competed to be the first to get the price hanging on the target pole, or there were ring or wreath stings. If the cattle were driven to the pasture or pasture the next day, the Pentecost festively decorated with a crown of flowers would advance. The shepherds invited the companions of the train to a small party.

It is an old tradition Pfingstquak, also called Pfingstlümmel, Maimann, Schnook or Pfingstbutz. In this custom, a tall man who works with birch twigs, pine twigs, ferns, etc. was wrapped out of the forest in the village – the spring was in the form of a "vegetation spirit" fetched. This tradition was particularly prevalent in higher regions, where spring arrives very late.

A beautiful legend that we can tell our children tells of how the first peonies came about, which we can now look at with the children in many front gardens:

Since the Church of Christ was founded at Pentecost, we can tell about the long history of the Church. We can also deal with baptism and confirmation or confirmation, through which one becomes a member of the community. This can lead to a visit to the church with a visit to the baptismal font or possibly even to the participation in a baptism ceremony (the permission of the pastor and the parents of the baptized person must of course be obtained beforehand).

Since the disciples were sent out at Pentecost to resign from Jesus Christ, we can also deal with missionary work. We tell that missionaries are still going out to inform and convert other people about Christianity. In this context, very different activities are possible:

  • We invite a (former) missionary by e.g. contact the surrounding monasteries. The parish can often arrange a contact. The missionary reports on his work, the life of the people in his region, development aid projects and the like. He often shows slides, photos or video recordings.
  • We visit a third world shop and above all let us show products that were created in the context of church projects. Some employees can tell us more about the projects.
  • Some monasteries have exhibition rooms with objects from all over the world that were brought together by brothers / sisters during their missionary years. Here we can go with children and have the exhibits explained to us.
  • Some parishes have a partner church in Third World countries. The pastor can often report visits to the local church and show some pictures. Or he can refer visitors from the partner community to the kindergarten. Finally, he can make contact with a kindergarten there, with which we then "correspond" and for which we collect old toys, clothes or money.
  • We get books (preferably older works) that have been written by missionaries in the library and read excerpts from them, talk to the children about the texts and show them possibly printed photos. This can result in an RPG ("As a missionary with the Zulus").

Playful activities with children

We hang one in kindergarten Whit bushes on: a fresh birch branch with a white gift ribbon and doves – symbol of the Holy Spirit – made from salt dough.

For ring stitching, we hang a small tire between two branches. The children receive sticks as spears, "horse riding" towards the tire and must try to throw the stick through the tire before marking. The child who succeeds first becomes the Whit King crowned. We can also organize a race. The conclusion can be in small "Whit revelry" form that was prepared by mothers.

Also a (bigger) child with brushwood and flowers can be Pfingstquak be decorated. Other children judge you "carts" with fresh greens and flowers. In it, the Pentecost quack is then pulled through the village or district (don’t forget parents as accompanying persons! Choose a quiet street). The move will certainly cause a sensation .

And did you feel like it? Perhaps your kindergarten is now celebrating Pentecost this year .

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