Step by Step
Life is a journey
by Philippa Rae
Suitable for Whole School (Pri)
Aims
To encourage us to think about moving through life, one step at a time.
Preparation and materials
- You will need the PowerPoint slides that accompany this assembly (Step by Step) and the means to display them.
Assembly
- Show Slide 1.
Ask the children what they understand by the phrase ‘one step at a time’.
Listen to a range of responses.
Point out that we might use the phrase when we are talking about a physical journey, where we place one foot in front of the other as we walk. For example, if we walk to school, we do it one step at a time. - Click Slide 1 to reveal the extra text.
However, taking one step at a time can also refer to our journey through life and the situations that we face. We move through life one step at a time as we aim towards specific goals.
Sometimes, we want to do something, but we can’t quite think where to start. This applies to anything from a potential hobby or school project to a goal for later life. If we are unsure about how we can reach our goal, some good advice is to take one step at a time. This means that we should split the process into the steps that are needed to achieve it.
Breaking down a challenge into smaller steps can help us to feel less overwhelmed and anxious. - Show Slide 2.
Sometimes, we may not have a specific goal. It can be hard to know what to do or which direction to take. When we are young, it is good to take the opportunity to try many different things. We might try something new and discover that it inspires us and causes our lives to take a different direction. If we hadn’t been willing to try something new, we would never have found something that filled us with joy! - Show Slide 3.
Sometimes, our path through life can feel like this road in Otago, New Zealand. We might try something new and head in a certain direction, but then decide that we want to try something different, so our direction changes. Our journey will have setbacks, delays, detours and sideways moves.
The benefit of taking one step at a time is that we are encouraged to keep going as each step is completed. Also, when we have a setback, we can evaluate whether we need to change direction.
Time for reflection
Ask the children to think about something that they have already achieved.
Ask them to think about how they achieved it.
You may wish to ask the children to discuss this with a partner or give responses.
Ask the children to think about something new that they would like to do.
Ask them to consider the steps that they might take to achieve their goal.
Encourage the children to be open to trying new things and taking opportunities as they arise.
Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you that you are with us as we journey through life.
Please help us to make good decisions and make the most of opportunities as they arise.
Please give us the patience and courage to overcome setbacks,
And help us to celebrate our achievements when we make small steps.
Amen.
Song/music
‘One more step’ (Come and Praise, 47), available at: https://youtu.be/7PXV3dwaeNU (2.51 minutes long)
