Teach your child about hand-washing, and make it fun! Sing a song as you lather up the soap, like “Jesus Loves Me,” or “Jesus Loves the Little Children.” Big Idea: God wants us to take care of ourselves. Readiness Milestone: Take care of toilets needs and washing hands. Related Scripture: I pray that you also may enjoy good health.  3 John 1:2 (NIRV) ... Read More

Inside the house, talk to your children about safety. Plan a fire escape route. Caution about hot water, oven, and electricity. Know how to dial 911 and lock doors, etc. Big Idea: God has a place for you, and He will keep you safe. Readiness Milestone: Know street address. Related Scripture: My help comes from the Lord…He who watches over you won’t get tired.  Psalm 121:2,3 (NIRV) ... Read More

Play “Red light, green light!” Teach your child when to stop and when to go. Big Idea: We can follow directions. Readiness Milestone: Recognize words or signs they often see. Climb, balance on one foot, hop, jump, and run. Related Scripture: Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, “This is the road! Now follow it.”  Isaiah 30:21 (CEV) ... Read More

Play dress up with your child. Encourage them to practice the snaps, zippers, and buttons by themselves, and as you play together, talk about how God clothes us with His armor in the same way we get dressed. If you have a child who doesn’t want armor, talk about how God clothes us with His beauty every morning. Materials: Clothing Big Idea: God has a purpose for everything. Readiness Milestone: Button, snap, and zip clothing. Related Scripture: Put on the full armor of God. . . Ephesians 6:11 (NIV) ... Read More

Play ball with your child. Start with rolling large balls back and forth. Then have them bounce and catch a ball thrown by some.one else. Materials: Ball Big Idea: God is our strength. Readiness Milestone: Throw, bounce, and catch a ball. Readiness Milestone: I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.  Phil 4:13 (NIV) ... Read More

Have your child practice cutting construction paper. If they’re starting to cut, just have them make random cuts however they would like. If their motor skills are a little more advanced, have them cut simple shapes like circles, squares, or even snowflakes. Materials: Scissors, paper. Big Idea: God shapes us. Readiness Milestone: Cut with scissors. Related Scripture: He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.  John 15:2 (NIV) ... Read More

Provide different blocks for your child to build a house, tower, and wall. Have them build on a firm surface like a table or the floor, and then try to build on a softer surface, like a sofa. What happens? Talk to them about the importance of a strong, solid foundation, and how we can build our lives on the solid foundation of God. Materials: Blocks of any shape and size Big Idea: God is the builder of our lives. Readiness Milestone: Build with 5 blocks. Related Scripture: Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is ... Read More

Have fun with play dough! Use rolling pins and tools for molding and shaping dough. Talk to your child about how God made and shaped each one of us. Ask them to shape something with clay. Materials: Play-doh or modeling clay (You can even make your own), rolling pins, cookie cutters, or other tools to shape the dough Big Idea: God created us, and He continues to mold us so we can be more like Him. Readiness Milestone: Create with play dough or clay by rolling, patting, and squeezing. Related Scripture: We are the clay, and you are the potter. ... Read More

Dance with your child using music and props. Materials: Any type of prop for dancing, music Big Idea: God has given us many ways to move and be strong. Readiness Milestone: Climb, balance on one foot, hop, jump, and run. Related Scripture: David danced before the Lord with all his might. 2 Samuel 6:14 (NLT) ... Read More

Act out the story of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho (Joshua 5:13-6:27). Build a wall out of blocks or cardboard boxes. March around it seven times like Joshua and his men. Do a different activity every time you go around. For example, the first time, you can walk around the wall with a quiet tiptoe. The second time, you can crawl around the wall. The third time, you can skip around the wall. The fourth time, jump around the wall. The fifth time, crawl around the wall. The sixth time, leap around the wall. The seventh time, dance around ... Read More