The key is to have a routine, be energetic, silly, and to show the kids you are having fun! I've learned to realize the funnier I look, the more they pay attention. It's a true fact, and I personally enjoy when they are into it also. Today during Bible story time, I had one on either side of me on the couch and one standing in front of me... all three 1 year olds were listening!
Ok so here it is:
When it's time for Bible time I start by singing: B.i.b.l.e is the Book for Me. Continue singing until you have all their attention! I have one who is singing along with me now.
Then read, tell, act out, or watch the story. Stress the letter and/or letters you're wanting them to learn such as DDDDavid starts with D like DDDDaddy. Point to important animals in the story. Use every aspect of the story as a learning opportunity whether it's letters, shapes, animals, numbers, counting, etc. I tell the same story for 2 weeks straight. I use a story truck, a lunch box with items to tell the story such as sheep, people, stones, etc. for David and Goliath. I try to put only items that are safe for the kids to play with and experiment with in the lunch box. By the end of the first week I let them play with the items in the story box to try and retell the story. They don't necessarily know how to retell the story, but I do notice they pick up on certain parts.
Discuss the importance of the story. What do you want your child to get out of the story? For example, this week we are taking about Daniel in the Lions' den. I stress the importance of praying. I show them how to fold their hands, how to get quiet, and how to close their eyes. I have one who sometimes folds his hands as soon as he knows it's time to pray. We are also talking about the word jealous. I bring up situations that happen daily with them such as J cries when I hold M or G gets upset when J has something she wants etc. They may not understand the word jealous, but they understand these situations.
Pray daily and often with your children! Your prayer can include what you want your child to learn, before meal prayers, feeling better prayers, etc.
Sing: I Am a Christian.
Explain that being a Christian means you have Christ in your heart and will live forever with God in heaven. If you have Christ in your heart, you want to act more like Christ. Give examples they'll understand such as getting someone else's shoes when it's time to go outside, giving love pats instead of hitting, giving hugs when someone is crying etc. And you'll want to spend more time with Christ. You can do this by praying, listening to Bible stories, etc.
Next we get ready to pray. I do this by giving command such as touch your head, beep your nose, pull your ears or hair, etc. Again use this time of getting them quiet as a learning opportunity. They watch you do it and eventually do it themselves and start learning body parts in the process.
Pray by singing snack\lunch song: Thank You Jesus For Our Food
Give lunch or a snack that relates to the story. Retell the story in your words emphasizing on the important parts as they are eating. Also enjoy time with them, watch and observe. Allow them to watch you dip your grilled cheese into tomato soup or eat with a spoon. They'll eventually pick up on those traits as well.
After lunch or snack, have an art project or sensory play to go with story or letter you're focusing on for the week. For example with Noah's Ark, I had cotton balls in a container for them to play with, touch, try to scoop up, etc. I also added animals and different colors of construction paper. While they were playing I squirted water on them. Most loved getting wet!
Now as most of the children are getting closer to two, they sit in their lunch seats buckled in while we do our lesson. While I prepare lunch, we sing worship songs. The children love singing especially those songs with actions. Again be silly, have fun and enjoy this time also. It definitely gets the children into it more.
An important tip to know: If the children are upset, not listening at all, getting loud, etc...stop your lesson! I have learned that continuing just makes them more upset or get louder. I usually try singing, "I am waiting...I am waiting...I am waiting for you to shhhhh." I get really quiet on the shhh and usually they do also. If they don't or you feel you are doing this multiple times, it is time to call it quits for the day. They aren't interested, and they probably aren't going to learn. Try again later in the day or wait until the next day.
- try to act positive the entire time.
- Try not to get upset when they are not listening.
- Be silly, loud, fun, and energetic
- Try not to raise your voice during teaching time. (You want them to enjoy this time.)
- If they are not interested, stop! Or try something different: sing a song, start a craft, switch to sensory play, etc.
- When doing a craft with toddlers, it's easier to keep the craft simple (such as finger painting, coloring, or gluing) or to do one or two at a time.
- Give stickers as rewards for everything! I mean everything: folding hands to pray, cleaning up own messes, singing along, doing motions. Toddlers love stickers!
Questions: Feel free to comment! I know there are things I forgot to mention!
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