Enhancing Children’s Learning through Faith Based Environments in Sunday Schools. The Case of ELCT Diocese of Meru

Abstract

This article aims to explore how the learning environment enhances faith formation among Sunday school children. The study was conducted in three parishes within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), Diocese of Meru. A qualitative research approach was employed, utilizing both observation and interviews. The participants included Sunday school teachers, pastors, evangelists, and children.  The findings revealed that unfriendly and inadequately resourced faith learning environments hinder effective children’s faith learning. The study was guided by two main objectives: first, to examine the challenges affecting children’s learning environments, and second, to analyses how the learning environment contributes to enhancing faith learning among children. Key issues identified included the inadequacy of classrooms, insufficiently trained teachers, and the lack of essential teaching and learning resources such as visual aids, appropriate furniture, and reference books. The study concludes that the faith learning environment plays a crucial role in enhancing children’s faith development. Based on these findings, the study recommends that the Church should invest more in improving children’s learning environments. The study suggests; strengthening teacher training, improving the construction and equipping of classrooms, and ensuring the provision of adequate teaching and learning materials including visual aids, appropriate furniture, and books would significantly enhance the faith learning environment.