The 40 Day Challenge
Holy Family Early Childhood Classes Celebrate Lent
Deidra Bowling-Meade
The Ashland Beacon
“Prayer, fasting and alms giving; we are meant to repent. Forty days of sacrifice, being super, extra nice. This is Lent. This is Lent.” The children at Holy Family School in Mrs. Ward’s Montessori class could be heard joyfully singing these words of praise. The children learn from an early age the importance of giving their best for God. The Holy Family Early Childhood classes, which consist of Ms. Nancy Redden’s Playschool department, Mrs. Gretchen Ward’s Montessori Program, and Mrs. Julie McCoy’s Preschool, shared the importance of Lent with their students. All the students from these classes were eager to learn and shared experiences that they will remember for a lifetime.
Lent lasts for 40 days and is observed by many Christians. Lent goes from Ash Wednesday to Good Friday and is a period of preparation to celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection, also known as Easter. Lent is meant to be a time of repentance. These 40 days are set aside to praise and worship the Lord, read the Bible more, pray more often and have a deeper intimacy with the Lord.
Mrs. Ward and Mrs. McCoy talked to their students about showing kindness toward others and to give with a grateful heart. Students in Ms. Nancy’s Playschool created a Lent chain. Ms. Amy led the class each day at circle time by having the students say or do what was on the loops of the chain. Ms. Nancy explained, “An example was to make a card for someone we love, show kindness to friends, or pray for Mommy. The students were also told Lent is essentially an act of prayer spread out over 40 days to bring us closer to God. It’s a time to work on personal discipline in general. Instead of fasting, they can be doing something positive like exercising more, praying more, or being nicer to family and friends.”
In addition to learning about Lent, the Holy Family Early Childhood classes used the observation of Lent to conduct a community service project to help Two Hearts Pregnancy Care Center. The teachers wanted to gear a project toward little children, and with it being spring the thought of new beginnings came to mind. The classes collected baby items to give to new mothers. The students enjoyed bringing in the items.
Chloe Goodwin exclaimed, “It maked me happy to help babies!”
Aeryn Andrada said, “ It’s kind to help; it makes us happy when we give.”
Brenleigh Chaney added, “It’s good to share.”
The introduction to Lent and the service project were successful. Ms. Nancy discussed the overall outcome, We wanted to teach our kids to share joy with others and to think past the excitement surrounding their Easter goodies. Best of all, this can be one of the most fulfilling things to do for Easter. Research shows you will experience longer periods of happiness when you give to others. We should be renewed in our compassion for those who are hungry, suffering, or otherwise in need. It’s about reaching out to others and helping them without question as a way of sharing the experience of God’s unconditional love.”
