3-5

On the Columbia campus, as soon as children are in third grade, they check into our 3-4-5 Active Play Area. Here they may choose to play in the mini-gym, play video games, listen to music videos, watch cartoons, play table games and activities, or hang out at the Kidcrest Canteen. They enjoy meeting and connecting with friends and adult small group leaders during this free time. About ten minutes into the hour, children clean up and then transition to their learning room.

For the 3-4-5 learning experience, we teach a Bible story using drama and technology. Each month we focus on a particular character value, such as friendship or wisdom, illustrating that value with the story and connecting it to experiences they have every day at home, church or school. After the whole group lesson, we divide into age-appropriate small groups where children apply the lesson in a practical way to their daily lives and connect on a deeper level with their assigned adult leader and other children in their grade.