5 Tips for Teaching Babies and Toddlers Biblical Truth

Well, first we must understand that children of all ages—including babies and toddlers—are welcome to come to Jesus and learn more about him.

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14)

And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?” (Matthew 21:16)

But anyone who has worked with or had toddlers knows they have a short attention span and don’t usually like to sit still, so teaching can be a challenge—but it can be done (and done well!). Here are five tips our writers (we have many curriculum writers on staff) gave me for how nursery volunteers, teachers, and parents can lead babies and toddlers to Jesus on Sunday morning or each and every day.

1. Pray for them. Parents—pray for your children every day. Nursery volunteers—take time each week to pray out loud for each child individually in the nursery. Prayer is a powerful tool, and even babies and toddlers can certainly use prayer that they may grow “in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52).

   For nursery volunteers and teachers, consider printing “I was prayed for today!” stickers to place on each child after they’ve been prayed for, so parents know their nursery team is dedicated to praying for the babies and toddlers (and to remind mom and dad to pray for their baby or toddler, too!).

2. Repetition, repetition, repetition. Repetition is key for toddlers. Instead of teaching a new lesson each week, consider selecting a few short, interesting lessons and teaching them on a loop. This type of repetition ensures that as a child grows, or when that child graduates from nursery, he or she will know key truths about God and his Word.

3. Keep it big picture. When you select the lessons for your loop, pick big picture lessons that lay a foundation of the character of God and the truth of God’s Word. This helps even the youngest children know the “basics”: who God is, what he has done for us, and how we should respond. Later lessons in preschool and beyond will build on this foundation.

4. Sing songs that emphasize the truths they’re learning. Once you’ve selected the lessons for your loop, find child-friendly songs, covers of hymns, or praise and worship songs that correspond with the truths they’re learning. Most children love music and singing, and the added repetition of songs that reinforce the lessons will help them remember these key truths long after toddlerhood.

5. Speak God’s Word to them. The Word of God reminds us, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). It’s because of the power of the Word of God that we should “store up [his] Word in [our] heart” (Psalm 119:11). To help children do that, add short Scripture verses to your lessons, and, parents, into your daily conversation. For example, if your child gets rough with someone, you can say, “we do not hit. God’s Word says ‘love is kind’ (1 Corinthians 13:4). We show love to others by being kind.” Hearing the same verses repeated over and over will help begin that store of verses in their hearts.

Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers can and should be included in the teaching of God’s Word!

Yes, babies, toddlers, and preschoolers can and should be included in the teaching of God’s Word!

If your family, preschool, or church nursery would benefit from “loop lessons,” consider Truths for Toddlers: 5 Big Bible Truths for Little Ones, the new toddler lessons from our Answers Bible Curriculum. With short, colorful, and engaging lessons, Truths for Toddlers repeats these solid truths about God from the Bible on a five-week loop:

• God is good.
• God is in charge of everything.
• God made everything.
• God wants us to pray.
• Jesus came to save sinners.

Each lesson is supplemented with animal coloring sheets, original songs, large wall posters, and interactive “find the hidden animal” pages in the flip chart. This teaching flip chart is made from “indestructible” paper, designed to be used over and over again for years so the littlest in your church will know who God is, what he has done, and how we should respond.

You can find this exciting new resource for your family or church at AnswersBookstore.com.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.