At about age five, children move up to a new level of morality. They have a better understanding of the concept of consequences – cause and effect, if/then. They know they can be the cause of positive effects or negative effects. They can cause someone to laugh or to cry, and they generally know which […]
Morality in Twos and Threes
As Eric Erikson pointed out, will is the strength that should develop at ages 2 and 3 years. That’s both good news and challenging news. It’s good news because it’s a sign that toddlers are maturing. It’s challenging news because it means they are now aware that they can make deliberate choices. With deliberate choices […]
Morality in Infants: Birth to Two
“We do not develop into the image of God; we are the image of God.” – James R. Estep, Jr., Christian Formation – Infants are born already having the internal capacity and sensibility for the development of an inner moral compass. But they are also born completely egocentric, which is the lowest stage of morality. […]
The Basic Elements of Wayfinding: Values, Faith, and Morals
“Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” – Psalm 143:8 – When it comes to making our way in life, few things are more important than our values, our faith, and our morals. These three influence our choices and determine the paths we take. So how do […]
Where Do We Begin?
“Toto, . . . we’re not in Kansas anymore.” – Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz film There were five neat rows, six wooden desks in each. Behind them, large windows showed a flat, treeless playground covered in stubbly grass. Fully stocked bookshelves lined the wall to the right. To the left hung a chalkboard […]
Free Folder: “Jesus Is Alive!”
For young children, Easter is a time of joy and wonder as they see the people around them celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. It’s hard for a child to understand death, and there may be some fear associated with the concept of death. So for a young child, the story of Jesus’ death is best told gently […]
It’s back! Easter Musical for Preschoolers
See the booklet on Amazon.com Downloadable performance tracks are available on CD Baby: LEARN MORE!
An Ounce of Prevention
Directing Behavior Four-year-old: “Daniel’s grandmother died.” Mom: “How sad! Did you tell him you’re sorry?” Four-year-old: “I didn’t do it!” God’s Discipline Discipline means “discipling,” making disciples or followers. I like the word “discipling,” because it puts the focus on the teacher or parent. The goal of discipling someone is to help them […]
Keep It in Mind
Scripture Memory A four-year-old came out of Sunday school saying his memory verse, “Children obey your carrots.” What’s a Memory? In one of my favorite picture books, Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox, Wilfrid Gordon’s best friend at the old people’s home has lost her […]
The Five-Day Sandwich
Telling Bible Stories Creatively A young boy listened as his teacher told the story of the Good Samaritan. When a character passed by the hurt man, she made the hurt man call, “Help!” But with each person who passed, the “Help!” got softer and weaker until the man’s cries could hardly be heard. After […]