Teaching Truths to Toddlers? Yes, It Can Be Done!
by
Linda Moore
on July 17, 2023
I recently had my first opportunity to introduce the new Truths for Toddlers curriculum to the children in my church nursery. I admit, I was a little nervous. Would the kids listen? Would they give me blank stares? Or would they want to play with toys instead? I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I knew that kids their age enjoy looking at books and eating snacks.
On my morning in the nursery, three little boys—ranging from ages one to three—came. For the first half hour, they played with the nursery toys, industriously scooting trucks and cars and tossing balls. Soon it was time for snacks. Finally, a moment of semi-stillness! The perfect time to introduce our fun new book. As the children ate, I opened the Truths for Toddlers book and stood it up on the table. I began to read, and the kids’ eyes were riveted on the pictures as they listened to the simple truth that “God is always good.”
We talked about the colorful photos, and I helped the boys find the tiny hidden animal friend on some of the pages (this week was Zoe the Zebra). Before long, all three of my students began to interact with me—even the two shy ones! By the time the snacks were gone, we’d had a great time learning about God. Was the lesson text simple? Yes! But it was God’s truth being taught—and at a level the children understood.
Truths for Toddlers is a brand-new curriculum specifically written for very young kids ages 1 to 3 years old. The lessons are simple, short, colorful, and engaging. They’re quick and easy to teach, requiring little preparation—which is great if you have a rotating nursery schedule like we do at my church. Anyone can pick it up, read the text, ask the questions, and show the pictures. Every lesson includes an adorable animal friend poster and a coloring sheet download as well as an original song. Each of the five lessons describes one basic Bible truth:
- God is good.
- God is in charge of everything.
- God made everything.
- God wants us to pray.
- Jesus came to save sinners.
Truths for Toddlers is designed to teach one truth each week as you guide the children to think about the theme and the pictures. Next, you can sing the lesson song that comes as an easy download. I passed out some little maracas to shake as I played and sang the song. Singing and playing the songs often is a great way to reinforce the Bible truths and help the kids learn the words. That’s another great thing about this curriculum: the lessons are repeated continually through the year so the children will not only learn the songs, but also know the Bible-based truths by the time they move to preschool.
We all know that this age group can learn a lot—probably more than we realize. So why not take advantage of the time you have with the youngest kids in your church and begin teaching them God’s truths?
Support the creation/gospel message by donating or getting involved!