TORONTO, Ontario, Canada, June 12, 2006 — In an era when biblical illiteracy is reportedly on the rise, the Canadian Bible Society is reaching out to a whole new generation by launching a website that could help even pre-literate children learn and love the Bible.
BibleKids.ca is a brand new, fun-filled, interactive website for children from preschool to pre-adolescence. Designed to support parents who want to help their children cultivate a love for Scripture, the site features kid-friendly music, colourful animation, Bible adventure stories and games.
Children visiting www.biblekids.ca, can listen to a Bible story as they colour a picture illustrating the same story. They can watch an entertaining music video that teaches the biblical account of God's creation. They can play a guessing game to identify a "mystery person" from the Bible by uncovering clues and hints, or they can participate in interactive adventure stories from the Old and New Testaments. To encourage children to pursue Scripture exploration with their families, all adventure stories begin by telling visitors where to find the story in the Bible.
Now 100, but reaching out to a whole new generation
Now in its centennial anniversary year, the Canadian Bible Society (CBS) developed the resource as part of their mandate to translate, publish, distribute and encourage the use of the Bible in Canada and the world, according to CBS national director, Phyllis Nesbitt. "The Canadian Bible Society is committed to reaching children with the Good News contained in Scripture," Nesbitt says, "because we believe in the power of the Bible to change hearts and lives."
"It is our hope that this new web site will enable children to see, hear and interact with the Bible in such a way that they will develop a love for God's Word."
The site is winning rave reviews from the young set.
Rave Reviews
"It's really cool," says Jenna, age nine. "It's awesome because it's fun and it teaches you new things about people like Elijah and Moses and David."
But Biblekids.ca is a web site that even preschoolers can navigate through and interact with on their own, according to site concept designer and CBS Web Coordinator, Robert Everitt. "While we encourage parents to explore the site with their children, we've used both auditory and visual cues throughout the site making it possible for pre-readers to get as much from the experience as older children," he explains.
Dominic, age three, and Zachary, age five agree. "It's nice. I like the painting game," says Dominic, while Zachary expands on his brother's thought. "It's really fun. I like the colouring game where you colour the picture and listen to the story. It's neat that you can print out your picture. I also like the song about how God created the world."
The site also contains tips and tools for parents and suggestions about how to read the Bible with children. Links that direct parents to child-friendly Bibles, stories, colouring books and other support materials are also available.
Heather Cushing of Oakville, Ontario, is mother to three children ages three, seven and nine. She says all three enjoy playing on the site. "Spencer [nine], was really interested in it. When the girls were finished he wanted to get on there. I think the fact that it's a computer thing really appealed to him. He loved the mystery game. Holly [seven] loved the colouring.
"When the music came on, Kate [three], was dancing around. I went on it and thought it was great. We'll definitely go back there again," Cushing adds.
A labour of love
Developing BibleKids.ca was a labour of love for those involved, according to Everitt, himself a father of three young children, and the inspiration behind the project. "Much dedication was poured into the production of this site by many people who either volunteered their time or worked for a fraction of what their time is worth," he explains.
Produced by Drew Morey and featuring the voice talents of Ontario Christian broadcaster Drew Marshall, Bill Murdoch, Rebecca Bruce, Tanya and Mike Hauser, the production team of BibleKids.ca also worked with the grades 3 and 4 classes of Orangeville Christian School, who acted as the choir in the music video.
Everitt says BibleKids.ca conveys the Bible accurately, attractively and understandably. Scripts are based on Scripture using the Contemporary English Version and Good News Translation as guides.
"We're not striving to speak for God to kids, but to pass along His message," says Everitt. "It is our desire that BibleKids.ca will enable children to have fun as they grow in their relationship with God and grow in their love for the Bible."
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