Although it would be simpler for everyone involved to not bother with a big production, preschool programs during the holiday season serve a triple purpose.
- Children experience – perhaps for the first time – the intricacies of participating in a production from the point of view of the actors. They learn how to memorize lines, how to deal with stage fright, how to cooperate with others to put on a joint performance, and they also get to enjoy special attention from family members after their performance.
- Parents get more involved with the school. Even those, who might thus far have been absent for a variety of reasons, cannot resist showing up to see their children perform. Moreover, volunteer opportunities may be icebreakers for some parents, who have been hesitant to help out simply because no readymade tasks could be found.
- Christmas programs highlight the preschool’s commitment to providing a number of learning experiences to students. Failing to have a holiday program may make your preschool look less than dedicated.
Resist the temptation of recycling the same two or three programs for the sake of convenience. Parents will soon recognize them and enthusiasm wanes. The same holds true for students. While you may not have the time, resources or imagination to write a complete play yourself, there are plenty of online sources.
A Christmas Blessing by Preschool Sunday School Central
This play features three main players – excellent roles for the most outgoing children in your preschool class – and an unlimited number of available spots for angels and sheep. Based on Luke 2:8-18, the play is sufficiently short to present an excellent opportunity for a younger preschool class. At the same time, musical interludes may allow you to stretch the play past its 15 minutes.
The Birth of Jesus by Kids Sunday School Place
Although the program suggests that nine to 14 children can participate, there are ways to involve more children by bolstering the roles of angels and shepherds. It is a basic retelling of the search for a room, bedding down in the stable, and the subsequent visits to the newborn baby by shepherds and the magi. Augment the action on stage with songs, and you can stretch the 20 minutes suggested for this place to almost an hour.
An Alternative: Joy to the World by Acts One
This is a Christmas program that relies less on the acting abilities of the participants as their expressiveness. It consists of scripture readings and carols singing. This is an outstanding choice if you do a last minute production and there is not enough time to rehearse actual acting.
Each child is assigned a sentence or more to memorize – depending on the number of preschoolers in your class – and will learn whom they follow on the big day. You could have children dress up as angels or shepherds, if you like, but it is not necessary. Best of all, you might be able to pull this one off without one single practice session!
As the variety of available online preschool Christmas programs showcases, it is not always necessary to do a big costumed production or play. Instead, there are plenty of avenues to showcase your preschoolers’ talents, have every child participate in the performance, and create plenty of picture perfect moments for the families -- even without adding stress to your curriculum or schedule.
Best of all, you can “dress up” any part with special costumes, gear and also instrumentation, as Bright Hub’s own Laurie Patsalides showcases in her article entitled “Musical Hand Bells and Activities for the Kindergarten or Preschool Teacher.”