Aim

To allow children an opportunity to consider religious idea of purification.
To begin to appreciate the purpose of adult baptism.

Preparation

Before the lesson obtain necessary items for washing ceremony.

Lesson

Begin lesson by discussing the future of the class baby with the children. If it were a real baby what would happen to it over the coming months with the right care? It would grow, begin to walk / talk, etc.

Ask the children at what age would their baby begin to do wrong.

Is there any chance of their baby getting to be the age which they are now, without doing something which it knew to be wrong?

Are there any children in the class who have never done anything wrong?

Are there any children or adults in the world have have never done anything wrong?

Because everyone does wrong things as they begin to grow, Muslims and some Christians believe that their babies have to be made clean in a way. Muslims do this by shaving off a baby's hair. While Christians pour water over the baby's head. If possible show images.

What do the children think of these rituals?

Ask them to think about some of things they have done wrong.

Christians and Muslims believe that if a person is truly sorry for the wrong things he has done, God has the power to wash them away or make them disappear, in the same way that soap and water make dirt disappear from your hands. Invite the children to join you in a simple purification ritual. This could take whatever form is most manageable for you.

Example: Calling to mind their past misdeeds, they could wipe/wash their hands clean. You could play some music to accompany this. Children who wished could be given an opportunity to say a silent prayer to God.

Allow a certain amount of time for the children to discuss the feelings produced by this ceremony.

Conclusion

Conclude by informing children that when some adults become Christians, they want to mark this new stage in their life by getting baptised. It is like they are washing away all the bad things they have done and are starting afresh.

Notes

I feel that the religious concept of purification is so crucial that it requires a lesson to itself. Within Islam, there is no doctrine of original sin. However, as part of the name-giving ceremony, the baby's head is shaved and olive oil is rubbed on as a sign of cleanliness.