Early Childhood Education

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Be Like Jesus Companion

Developing a Joyful child

It’s important to teach young children to find joy in God’s goodness, His presence, and His sovereignty. You need to also teach them to hove joy in all circumstances. Teach joy by being joyful and creating a joyful home away from home!

Bible Verses:

Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy

Psalm 66:1 Shout for joy to God, all the earth!

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Joy & Happiness in Heaven — Pre-K

This lesson focuses on teaching the young child that Jesus is coming back to take all who love Him to a special place filled with joy and happiness. This special place is called Heaven.

Bible Stories

Read Luke 15:8-10. Share how happy the woman was when she found her lost coin. Discuss how happy God is when we find Him and give our lives to Him.
Read Luke 15:11-31. Share the story of the Prodigal son. Discuss how he was looking for happiness in all the wrong places and how true joy was at home with his father. Compare how our true joy is with our heavenly Father, God.

Sarah's Special Baby — Pre-K

People in Christian families love each other.

A Floating Zoo — Pre-K

We thanks God for keeping His promises.

An Animal Parade — Pre-K

We thank God for taking care of us.

Jesus Goes to a Party — Pre-K

Jesus wants us to have fun with our family and friends.

A Great Parade — Birth-3

Sing and praise God.

Family Connections

It’s important to teach young children to find joy in God’s goodness, His presence, and His sovereignty. You need to also teach them to hove joy in all circumstances. Teach joy by being joyful and creating a joyful home!

Do something totally unexpected and fun like taking a walk in the rain, blowing bubbles in the park, or gazing at the stars and identifying the constellations. Talk about finding joy in the simple things of life.

Throw a “Just Because” party. Invite friends and family and share how much they mean to you.

Do something nice and unexpected for a neighbor like cut the grass, bake a treat, offer to babysit, etc. Discuss the joy we get from giving.

Have an upside down meal—breakfast for dinner. make smiley faced pancakes and hot chocolate.

Have a “Praise and Worship” session at home or at a nearby church. Delight in singing praises to the Lord.

Family Connections — Birth-3

Do something totally unexpected and fun like taking a walk in the rain, blowing bubbles in the park, or gazing at the stars and identifying the constellations. Talk about finding joy in the simple things of life.

Throw a "Just Because" party. Invite friends and family and share how much they mean to you.

Do something nice and unexpected for a neighbor like cut the grass, bake a treat, offer to babysit, etc. Discuss the joy we get from giving.

Have an upside down meal---breakfast for dinner. make smiley faced pancakes and hot chocolate.

Have a "Praise and Worship" session at home or at a nearby church. Delight in singing praises to the Lord.

Activities that encourage children to be joyous and happy.

  • Bring several smooth stones to class and be sure the stones are too large to be a choking hazard. Talk about the streets of gold in Heaven. Discuss how Jesus made every stone. In Heaven, the stones will not be rough or dirty; they’ll be very beautiful and polished and of all different colors. Emphasize the beauty of Heaven. Provide paints and allow the children to paint the stones and create a path, like how they might imagine the beautiful streets of gold in heaven!
  • Be spontaneous! Put some fun music on and just move, sing, play instruments, laugh some and rejoice in the Lord!