ABSTRACT
The early years in the junior school can roughly be called the years of middle childhood, and while some characteristics still remain from early childhood in the infant school there are some important changes occurring in the development of the children. The parental image of the deity is still strong and most children at this time see God as a human figure, with some of the physical limitations of a human being. Children use their homes and family life as their base, but they need, as they grow up into a larger school, a feeling that the school community is one where they can be secure. Worship is the lifting of the heart to God, and for children it should be a sharing of their life experience with him. Sheep are known to young children through first-hand experience of travelling through the country-side, or through television programmes, films, books, nursery rhymes and many other sources.
