Kindergarten

Today the staff discussed the root of "kindergarten". It stems from a German word that means something like child's garden.

Our presenter spent an hour unpacking the history behind the garden of education metaphor.

In biblical times gardens were a sign of wealth and power. They were desirable and pleasure-filled. They were orderly and beautiful.

As God's children we are called his garden or trees planted for his glory. In Psalm one the word "planted" could also be translated "transplanted". Kings in the Old Testament times would take and replant trees from their captive kingdoms to prove their superiority as the trees flourished and grew stronger in their new home. Often, the former owner-king's head was hung from the tree as a reminder of victory. We are these trees taken from a foreign land and planted near the streams of living water. And death's end is our head hanging from our branches.

So for children our school, my classroom is to be a garden of delight. A place of importance and joy seperate from the world. Yet they take the garden with them in to the world.