In October, the Church Council approved the establishment of a “prayground” for families with young children, so that they might more fully participate in worship. The prayground will be set up in the south transept of the sanctuary. Here is some more information about the area and its use.
What is a prayground?
The prayground is an area in the south transept of our sanctuary specifically set aside for young children and their families during worship. It consists of a large rug, a small table with child-sized chairs or stools, coloring sheets, crayons, blocks, books, and soft toys.
This is not a new idea, but has been successfully offered in many other congregations throughout different denominations. We are confident in this idea because it has been so well received in other churches.
Isn’t it noisy?
Not really, and certainly not any noisier than it would be if those same kids were sitting in the pews! We will take great care in selecting play items that will keep the noise to a minimum: blocks made of foam, books all made of fabric (without any of the squeakers or crinkle-paper that is so popular now in fabric books!), toys that are all plush, and even fabric baskets to contain the crayons.
The only items that could really be used to make noise would be if a child were to bang a crayon over and over on the table, but if/when this happens, a parent will step in.
We anticipate the first few weeks will be a little louder, but the “regulars” will learn what’s expected of them. On occasions when there may be a lot of visiting children (Christmas Eve, for example, or Easter morning, or when we have several baptisms with lots of visiting family), things may tend to be a little louder, but if it means that children who aren’t generally in church are in church, we will give thanks and move on!
Who is the prayground intended for? What other options do parents have for their kids during worship, especially if they don’t want to sit in the front?
Generally speaking, the prayground is intended for infants and toddlers, or for kids 3 and under who are not yet old enough to be able to follow complex directions.
The prayground won’t be the only option for parents of small children. Parents are welcomed to sit anywhere in the sanctuary with their children. If their child becomes rambunctious, parents are welcome to listen to the service from the comfort of the Courtyard. There is also a nursery ready to be staffed should a parent desire to utilize it. Finally, as part of the prayground project, we will reintroduce quiet bags, as well, for kids who need a few extras to help hold their attention in the pews.
Why on earth did you put it in the front?
Because kids pay more attention when they can see what’s going on, and they’re short! Lots of churches have similar areas for kids in the back, or in the middle, or off to the side. We recognize that kids will play and color for much of the time, but they also pay attention to what’s happening in worship. When they can see what’s going on, they absorb things in a different way.
In addition, we think the location will actually help us to keep the noise down, though it sounds counter-intuitive. The kids will know how visible they are, so they’ll behave better than they might if they thought no one could see them.
How did you get the congregation on board with this idea?
On October 13, we held an informational meeting after worship, where the prayground was introduced and questions from congregational members were answered. Although the majority those attending the meeting were supportive of having a prayground, we recognize that some members are skeptical. We understand and value their opinions.
Some suggested making smaller changes and removing fewer pews as a trial option. The council took these suggestions into consideration but felt it was important to keep the prayground deeper into the transept so that exits won’t be blocked.
At this time we aren’t making any permanent changes to the sanctuary. The pews being removed are simply bolted to the floor. They can be reinserted easily enough. Plus, the items being purchased can be reutilized elsewhere in the church. If we find the prayground to be too much of a distraction, we can easily remove it.
Won’t the kids be distracting to the preacher?
Not any more than they are when they’re in the pews! Any preacher worth their salt can handle a baby crying or a toddler screeching here and there. Just like in most churches, our parents take their kids out when they get really disruptive. We trust them to make those decisions, and would never ask them to do so.
It may help that, in our sanctuary, this space is right up front but also off to the side, located conveniently by the door to the nursery and the door to the Courtyard. Parents can easily slip out of the sanctuary, should a quick exit become necessary.
But how can you expect the congregation to pay attention to the sermon when there are kids playing up front?
We have excellent preachers, so we aren’t worried. There are also quite a number of places in the sanctuary where you can sit and not see the prayground at all. Some people may wish to change where they usually sit, if they if they become distracted by the kids, while others may change where they sit in order to see them better!
parents will help each other out, too, especially when there’s a new family sitting there.
Where did you get the tables and chairs? The rug? The toys and other items?
While some adult seating may be repurposed from other places in the church, the rug, table, kids chairs, and plush toys will be new. We really wanted to do this well, and to carefully select items that will fit the needs of the space and fit within our sanctuary.
How will you keep it all clean?
It’s actually pretty easy—everything will either go in the washing machine or can be sprayed and wiped down.The rug will be vacuumed weekly.
Why bother with the rug?
Because it makes it so much easier for the kids to understand their boundaries.A rug also is important for the comfort of little children crawling around on the floor, and it serves to absorb noise.
How do you keep the kids from wandering up to the chancel area?
Very carefully! We will need to rely on the parents to help train their children to stay on the rug. During the first few weeks, during children’s sermons and at other points in the service, we will point out (into the microphone, so everyone was on the same page) that there are candles at the top of the steps, and that each child needs to set a good example for the other kids. Before long, the kids will remind one another, and parents will help each other out, too, especially when there’s a new family sitting there.
Will the youth group be involved with the prayground?
Yes, but only in the design and construction of the area. Youth will not be utilized as “babysitters” in the prayground area. Parents will be expected to monitor their children.
How much will it cost?
We expect the prayground to cost somewhere between $1500 and $2000. We will be using memorial funds and/or donations to fund the project.
How can I help?
Thanks for asking. For one, you can keep a positive mindset. We are really excited about the potential for this project, so please give it time to settle in. When we talked to parents of young children about the possibility of creating a prayground, they were so excited! We really want to help our children feel seen and be included in worship. This is just one step in that direction.
If you would like to donate to the project, contact the church office.
