Jacksonville, Florida, December 23, 2008 -- Chronically ill children at Wolfson Children's Hospital have the opportunity to explore their thoughts on spirituality through Godly Play, a national program with a hands-on, multi-sensory, comprehensive approach toward religious education.

Theologian Jerome Berryman developed Godly Play after he was inspired by his advanced studies in Montessori, an educational method developed by Maria Montessori in which children learn through participating in activities that engage all of their senses. Godly Play educators must train and be certified to present the curriculum.

Presenters use an array of hands-on materials, many of them crafted from cloth or wood, as visual and sensory enhancements when telling such stories as the People of God, the Parable of the Good Samaritan or the Parable of the Good Shepherd. Working mostly with one child at a time at his or her bedside, she uses storytelling techniques to present the story and then encourages the child to express his or her own thoughts orally and through artwork.

"We use stories from the Bible but we make them broad enough that they can be applicable to other faiths as well," said Nancy Grogan, religious educator, who was certified in the method and presents it to Wolfson patients.

A volunteer with the Wolfson Children's Hospital Auxiliary initially introduced Godly Play. Grogan has worked as a full-time presenter for three years, visiting with at least two children each day.

"They're always happy to see me," she said.

Sharon Simmons, chaplain for Community PedsCare, a palliative care/hospice program for children with life-limiting conditions, also is certified in Godly Play and takes the stories to PedsCare patients and their families in their homes.

Christ Episcopal Church generously provided materials for the program.