Do you REALLY think a two-year-old can learn something about God during church? It seems so often we just bring stuff to entertain them (don't get me wrong - I'm a Disney fan too!) so that we can focus on what is being said and feel some sort of spiritual inspiration.
Just the other day I thought, "this just isn't working". Cadence has very few "quiet" toys, so he was getting bored pretty fast. Plus, I learned the majority of "quiet" things we usually do together at home, so he always expected me to help "entertain him" - which leaves both of us not receiving any spiritual upliftment! If we sit near other kids it is a disaster because they're either having a great time with lots of loud laughter, or fighting over toys with lots of loud frustration.
The answer to my original question is: YES! They don't go to nursery (our 18 month to 3 year old class in our church) to just play with toys and be babysat while mom and dad learn the gospel. They go there to learn about God. We have a BLESSED nursery leader in our stake, who has spent so much time magnifying her calling by making books and other manipulative toys that are cheap, yet still gospel centered. She buys stuff from the local thrift store, uses old church magazines, and re-crafts Christmas cards. She has INSPIRED me! Here are some of "my" creations:
1. The first manipulative/book for church I started to make - Flap Paper Bag Album. I've made the album, but haven't quite decided how to decorate it yet. It will definitely include using the little slots. I'm only hoping it won't be too loud :) Still...this is a great start! I'm so excited about teaching him the gospel in a way that means something to him.
2. I have a wonderful crafty mother, and she got me going on ALL sorts of ideas. We took a Noah's Ark Sticker Book and laminated it w/ self-adhesive laminating sheets. Then we stuck magnets on the back. I'll be using the same $2 sticker book for years to come!
3. She also took some small pictures of Jesus, laminated, punched holes, and stuck them on a key ring. He loves to look at these differing pictures of Jesus during the sacrament. I've also seen single baseball card covers used (which would be nice because you can easily change out the pictures).
4. Last, I jumped on a deal for a free 4x7 "brag book" from Walgreens. I downloaded the free gospel art book pictures to use. Then I scoured our pictures of Cadence to find other matching photos. I used the cute alphabet template and made him a personalized book, complete with pictures of his family living the commandments! He loves this book and it's so compact and easy to stick in my diaper bag. I think I'll make a few more, watching for more freebies of course (so I only pay the shipping).
Here are some sample pages
This page is "T is for temple". 
"C is for Creator. C is for Cadence. Heavenly Father created Cadence and the beautiful world around him. I can be kind to all of Heavenly Father's creations" (with a picture of him holding our little ch
Here are some sample pages
This page is "T is for temple". 
"C is for Creator. C is for Cadence. Heavenly Father created Cadence and the beautiful world around him. I can be kind to all of Heavenly Father's creations" (with a picture of him holding our little ch
I have MANY more ideas, but no pictures yet. I'll post more as I find the time to be crafty :) What are some creative ideas you've used for teaching your children the gospel?
1 comment:
Great ideas Amy! I recently had cut some out of a friend, and was going to put them together in a book. I need brainstorm some other ideas and things. I have some links to some really easy already set up printable quiet books, that I printed out and slipped in a 4x6. They have more reading, but Savannah likes them as she can read on her own now.
http://www.brownpaper--packages.com/2011/02/church-quiet-book-printables.html
For the apostle one, we used it at General Conference time, had everyone select an apostle for FHE the week before. They learned about him and things they did, and then taught everyone about "their" special apostle. Then all week we'd quiz them about who their apostle was, and something about his life to connect them to him. Then when conference came around, when it was "their" apostles turn to speak they were more exicted to listen to him. Caitlyn who hardly paid attention during FHE, even surprised me, and said "Mine" when Elder Oaks stood up to speak, which was her apostle.
But one thing is for sure, is that my kids are a so much better behaved when we completely stopped bringing toys, some books and food especially. They really bring nothing when they come, and they do so much better. (It took a few weeks). But now we DREAD when we end up sitting by another family, and if they hand over books or things to be nice, because then it makes the fighting, noise, and irreverance begin.
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