Treasure of a different kind for Armenian Preschoolers
22/2/2011
In Armenia, the world’s oldest Christian, Orthodox Apostolic nation, a book for preschoolers called ‘My treasury’ was recently launched at the Christian Education Center of Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, with World Vision’s support.
While ‘My treasury’, shares the biblical lessons and values reflected in the existing country-wide school curriculum on ‘History of Religion for grades five to eleven, it uniquely speaks to preschoolers, bringing Bible stories to life and enabling young children to interact and become part of the story by colouring the Bible characters illustrated in the book the way they imagine.
The content of the book was developed based on the aptitude of the average Armenian preschooler and consists of three parts, incorporating both Old and New Testament Bible stories, as well as some sketches from Armenian history that reveal the adoption and spread of Christianity in this historical country.
‘As visuals help children to memorise stories and verses we intended to share Biblical stories with young children through the illustrations that reinforce Christian values. Moreover, it makes the learning of the Bible as engaging as it can possibly be’, said Karine Harutyunyan, World Vision Armenia Church and Government Relations Manager.
‘The book is a means to share God’s love with children’, said Archbishop Tatev, endorsing ‘My Treasury – 3,000 copies of which will be distributed through World Vision Armenia Area Development Programmes to children across Armenia.
‘One of World Vision’s global aspirations is specifically about children experiencing God’s love and we hope that through this book they will experience that love. Resources like this also give children a foundation on which to base principles, beliefs and morals in every facet of a child’s life as they grow into adulthood’, said World Vision Armenia National Director, Graham Strong.
The book was adapted and designed with the collective efforts of the Christian Education Center of Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and World Vision Armenia.
Representatives from the Ministry of Education and Science of Armenia and other officials attended the launch of ‘My treasury’.
