The Bible commands us to teach Scripture to our children. Deuteronomy 6:4-7 reminds us that not only are we to teach our kids Scripture, but, we are to remember that kids are just like sponges that soak up all that is around them … both the good and the bad. They are learning every waking moment of the day. And, God’s desire is that many of those moments include experiences of kids seeing and hearing their leaders/teachers/parents reading from the Bible and treating the Bible with respect.

Unfortunately, in many preschool classrooms, the Bible is placed on a very high shelf so that no child could possibly reach it, touch it or interact with it. Why? Often the reason given is to “protect” it and “take good care of” it. Sadly, this approach does nothing to influence preschoolers positively about using the Bible. So, what would be some great reminders about how to use the Bible effectively with preschoolers?

• The Bible should be visible and accessible. Consider placing a Bible in every learning center, activity location in the room. This way as teachers interact with preschoolers they will be reminded to share Bible phrases and parts of the week’s Bible story with the kids.

• Teachers should use Bible story conversation as it relates to what a child is doing and experiencing.

• The Bible can be used any time it gives meaning to an activity and a child shows interest.

• Bibles can be placed in cribs to remind teachers to talk about the Bible with a child while changing a diaper.

• For crawlers and toddlers, Bibles can be “hidden” under blankets and toys for children to discover.

God’s plan has always been and will always be for preschoolers to learn from the Bible through the significant adults in their lives. The Bible can become a very treasured book as preschoolers observe the adults in their lives using the Bible and talking about it as a part of everyday life.

Jerry Vogel serves as a Childhood Ministry Specialist in LifeWay Church Resources. He is married to Janie and has four children and twelve grand kids. Jerry is a member of Brentwood Baptist Church and teaches preschoolers there. He is committed to enriching the lives of those who teach kids as well as making eternal investments in the lives of children.

Use your creativity to make snowy day indoors an adventure! This article by Laura Teague offers four fun ways to connect with kids.
–Jana Magruder

Once the joy of fresh snow and a day off of school pass, you may find yourself left with little more than soggy mittens, frozen toes, and kids who are less than thrilled to be stuck inside. The snowmen are built, the hot chocolate is gone, and you need some fast ideas for turning this frozen tundra into a winter wonderland.

Here are a few ideas to bring the outdoors in and continue the winter fun:

1. Build another snowman. This time, try building snowmen indoors with cans of shaving cream. Decorate with buttons, candies, or craft accessories. If you’re brave, play right on your kitchen counter for an easy clean up. If the mess worries you, try making snowmen directly on the walls of the shower or the floor of the bathtub.

Variation: If you want your snowman to last, try mixing equal parts shaving cream and glue to make puff paint for using on paper. Add food coloring for a fun twist!

2. Have a snowball fight. Choose an open place in your home and divide your kids into two teams. Allow them to build a fort if they choose and make a line down the middle of the room with tape. Use crumpled up paper or rolled up socks for a two-minute snowball fight. The team with the cleanest side at the end wins!

Variation: If you have younger kids and want to avoid throwing, try hiding cotton balls around the room. Have kids race to pick up the most snowballs and make a pile in the center of the room. Celebrate the end of the game by making it snow again!

3. Bundle up! Gather large coats, shirts, pants, hats, gloves, boots, scarves, etc. from your closet, enough for each child to have one of everything. Mix them all together in a pile at one end of the room. Have kids stand side by side at the other end and say the name of an article of clothing. If you said, “Pants!” the children must hurry to the pile, find a pair of pants to put over their existing clothes, and hurry back to the start. By the end, each child should have an entire winter outfit. Call for shoes last to avoid falling!

Variation: For older, more competitive children, make the game a walking race. Using a bowl for each child, write articles of clothing on slips of paper being as specific as you like (“Blue shirt” or “Mom’s favorite socks”). Add additional clothes to the pile to increase the difficulty.

4. Watch your step! Use pillows to make icebergs on the floor and challenging kids not to fall in the water. Give them simple tasks to complete in the room, such as “Flip the light switch” or “Help the toy across the room.” Allow imaginations to roam and let them create tasks for one another and for you. For safety, play this game on carpet rather than slick floors. Put pillows close enough together that kids do not jump long distances.

Variation: For older children, have them all stand on the same iceberg and challenge them to work together to get across the room. Allow them to move the icebergs, except the one they are currently on. If anyone steps in the water, everyone must start over.

Don’t be afraid to try something out of the ordinary and join in the fun. Whether you hang paper snowflakes on the windows or build a snow fort out of blankets, embrace this time you’ve been given to spend with your kids.

Laura Teague serves as a Regional Children’s Ministry Representative in Central Mississippi. She and her husband, Daniel, are passionate about investing in local churches through relationships. Laura has been working in children’s ministry since she was in college and is passionate about seeing kids come to know Christ and encouraging adults as they lead them there.

Can you believe it’s almost Father’s Day?  I definitely can.  I accidentally mailed my cards last Wednesday, thinking Father’s Day was on the 9th.  I’m just really on top of my game this year, right Dad??

Father’s Day is THIS Sunday, June 16th– but don’t fret, you still have plenty of time to plan for a cute craft for your kiddos to make for Daddy or Grandpa!

Already have something planned?  Share with us!