Kindergarten Department

Definition and Meaning

The kindergarten department (yuchibu, 幼稚部) is the division of a church school that serves children of kindergarten age. The age range varies from church to church, but it generally refers to preschool children of about four to six years old. Many churches place children from birth to age three or four in separate infant and toddler departments. Smaller churches sometimes combine these groups into a single infant and preschool department, and as a result the two names are sometimes used interchangeably. Children who complete the kindergarten department move up to the elementary department.

Biblical and Historical Background

As a basis for the faith education of children, churches commonly cite Deuteronomy 6:6–9, which instructs parents to teach the word of God to their children, and the words of Jesus, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not" (Mark 10:14).

The modern church school, with its departments organized by age, has its roots in the Sunday school movement that began in England in the late eighteenth century. In Korea, Sunday schools were established within churches from the earliest days of missionary work. As churches grew, they were divided into age-based departments, and in the process the kindergarten department became established as a separate division.

Practice in Korean Churches

Kindergarten department worship consists of a short sermon, songs of praise accompanied by hand motions, Bible stories, and activities such as drawing and crafts. Many churches use gonggwa (lesson materials for church schools) published by denominational general assemblies or Christian publishers. The minister in charge is usually an education evangelist or an evangelist, while the department head and teachers are generally lay volunteers. Vacation Bible school, Children's Sunday, and Christmas programs are the department's principal events. In classes for the youngest children, parents sometimes attend worship with them.

The status of children in the kindergarten department differs by denomination.

• In denominations that practice infant baptism, such as Presbyterian, Methodist, Holiness, and Anglican churches, many of the children have already been baptized. These denominations regard kindergarten department education as a process that helps baptized children grow within the covenant community.
• Denominations that do not practice infant baptism, such as Baptist churches, administer baptism by immersion to those who have personally professed faith. They therefore understand kindergarten department education as preparation for children to profess faith for themselves in the future.

In recent years, the number of children in kindergarten departments has reportedly declined because of low birth rates, and a growing number of churches are combining several departments. There is also a movement emphasizing family worship, with the aim of having church and home teach the faith together.