Case Study: Project FACT (Faith Awareness in Children Trust) : Time to Wonder

Time to Wonder days are events for KS1 and KS2 children, aged 6-11, with the central aim of providing, ‘an opportunity for children to pause, focus and wonder about their own spirituality, uniqueness and value from a Christian perspective.’ During Time to Wonder, children enjoy activities that allow them to explore two questions about themselves: ‘am I special?’ and ‘am I important?’ KS1children are divided into four small groups of around eight pupils, while KS2 children are divided into three groups of no more than ten. Each group travels around different activities, set out in enclosed gazebos; for KS1 these are Mining Tent, Diamond Tent, Sharing Tent and Labyrinth; KS2 have Rock Tent, Good Fruit Tent and Prayer Tent.

The whole atmosphere of Time to Wonder is one of slowing down and feeling calm. From the moment the children enter either their transformed school hall (KS1) or a local church (KS2) they engage with the awe and wonder of the event. The beauty of the building and the anticipation of the lighted tents allows the children to easily step into a time of wondering. We are always overwhelmed by the children’s reaction to what they experience as they journey through Time to Wonder. Each tent is designed to build on the previous activity and to gently reinforce each child’s understanding of their worth to God.

Key Stage One pupils hear Alexander Brown’s story of The Diamond Girl in the Diamond Tent, and during the follow-up activity reflect on the fact that they are all unique and special to God. In the Sharing Tent we have adapted The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde. Pupils learn that sharing can make them feel special. The Mining Tent activity allows pupils to dig in a sand tray for gems which are then glued onto a treasure chest, and reflect on the fact that they are as precious as treasure. The Labyrinth is set up outside of the gazebos; the children travel around it, pausing at different points to reflect on people who are special to them.

The Rock Tent focuses on encouraging KS2 pupils to look at who they are on the inside, rather that what they look like on the outside. The Good Fruit Tent asks the children to name their ‘good fruit’ - their special qualities. The Prayer Tent allows children to think about those who are special to them and to think about things that can stop us from feeling special.

It is extremely poignant when we gather the KS2 children together after they have completed their journey, to hear their responses to their experiences. Here is one of them: ‘I learnt that I am special because there is only one of me. The Good Fruit Tent made me wonder about some of the qualities that I didn’t realise I have. The Rock Tent made me wonder about the one who made everything. I have bad dreams and the Prayer Tent helped me to wash them away. I liked talking about who we are on the inside.’

Many children can struggle with self-worth and to see the revelation on a child’s face when they are confronted with their uniqueness and value to God is such a privilege. We have also received excellent feedback from teachers with one writing to us to say, ‘Every child got something out of Time to Wonder, and that’s an almost impossible task.’

Simon Shutt is FACT’s project coordinator