The prospect of being responsible for teaching children anything can be daunting. We're so anxious to get it right and for them to understand whatever it is we're trying to teach them. When it's hard enough work training a child how to use the potty, it can seem somewhat futile to try and teach a young child about Jesus. But it's never too soon to start.
When it comes to young children, there are a number of fun ways in which we can incorporate lessons about Jesus into their daily lives at home.
Our actions - Children pick up things really quickly and they're constantly looking to learn from adults. All of us will be able to recount a time when we've witness a child reenact something that they've clearly seen an adult do or say. So, with this in mind, we should be aware that our actions speak louder than words (especially when children are at an age where their comprehension of words and their meanings is limited) and that the way we act on a daily basis in accordance with our faith provides examples every day.
Song and play - If there are two things that young children love to do it's sing and play. This is a great way to introduce Jesus into their vocabulary and wider learning and have a lot of fun while doing so. Starting with simple, faith-centred songs which have corresponding actions will help them understand who Jesus is. Not only will they enjoy learning about him in this way but they'll remember too.
Reading - We don't wait until children can understand each story before we spend time reading with them and the same principle applies here. What's appropriate to read will differ on the age and ability of the individual child. A children's Bible is a good investment and there are a wealth of books which retell stories from the Bible or have a Christian message and are aimed at children. I
Prayer - If children are too young to pray themselves it's still worth praying in their presence as it helps them become familiar and comfortable with it. You can introduce simple and short prayers for children to say and encourage them to speak freely to Jesus when they're ready. Making prayer a part of their daily routine will also help to motivate them to incorporate it into their day as they grow older.
