Story Time with 'Mr. D"

The following article, written by Khindra Kent, that should appear soon in our local paper:

Dr. Darril Deaton is the Lead Pastor at Grace Fellowship Church but once a month “Mr. D” comes to Helen Edwards Early Childhood Center to visit with the students. He brings with him value building stories and fun characters that really hit home with the kindergarteners he speaks to. “The students love seeing Mr. D. They look forward to his visits and really gain valuable life lessons from the stories he tells,” said Mrs. Kent.

“He is a positive male role model that the children can look up to,” added Mrs. Havas. Mrs. Dawson commented, “I love how the stories are interactive. He always has a repeated word or phrase in the story so the children can participate.”

The stories he tells cannot be found in any book. Mr. D tells stories that he creates on his own about characters the kids can relate to, like Mean Margie who doesn’t have any friends because she bullies everyone and Billy who doesn’t like the rules. His story telling style keeps the students involved, and when the tale has been spun and it’s time for him to go the children have learned a priceless lesson.

Before coming to the school, Mr. D asks the teachers what kind of lesson they need. A suggestion from Mrs. Gillenwater to have a lesson about the student’s need to always be first inspired ‘Me First Mikey’. Me First Mikey always insisted on being first at everything, but soon he realized that he had no friends because he didn’t share or take turns. Mikey was lonely so he changed his ways and started saying ‘You First’. Mikey made many new friends and realized that being nice to others was much more fun than being first at everything.

So if you ever hear a kindergartener from Helen Edwards talk about Tattletale Timmy, Lazy Larry, Friendly Freddie or Super Sally you will know that Mr. D has been spinning another yarn that perhaps has made an impact on their life in a positive way.