Happy Valentine's Day

While explaining romantic love to children is difficult, teaching them how much God loves us is much easier. 

May you and your family feel God's presence and love every day of the year!

**Click here for a song I previously posted that would be perfect for Valentine's Day.

going fishing - part 2

In my previous post, I promised you a fun snack idea to go with the "fishers of men" lesson... and here it is! 

You wouldn't think these flavors go well together, but I found the snack to be surprisingly tasty! It was such an enjoyable snack to share in class... we will be having this one again soon!

going fishing - Part 1

More than once in the Bible, the metaphor of "fishing for men" is written. This past Sunday our pre-schoolers listened to Luke 5:1-11. We talked about living the way Jesus wants us to live, and then about praying for our friends, and inviting our friends to church. Then we played a fishing game! 

These cute fish came with our Sunday School curriculum, but you can easily make your own at home. You can print fish images onto card stock, or simply cut fish-shapes out of construction paper. If you are using construction paper, you could also add an extra activity (great for these really cold days) of decorating the fish with markers, stickers, and even sequins! 
On each fish, write a name - your pre-schooler, friends, family, etc. Attach a small piece of magnetic tape to the back of each fish. Create a fishing pole by taping yarn to the end of a straw, and tie a paperclip to the end. Spread the fish out on a table, the floor, or even in a bowl, and "fish for men."
***Variation for older children: Sandwich each fish between two layers of clear Contact Paper. Leave a border around the edge when you cut the fish out, and be sure to seal the edges firmly. Then add the magnetic tape. Your child can now go fishing in a bowl of water, a water table, or even a baby-sized swimming pool (you might need a longer fishing pole for this). 

I also have a free printable for you today:

Print the fish onto card stock, write your little one's name in pencil, and help "write" the name again using glitter-glue. FUN!!

Be sure to come back on Monday... I have a really fun snack to share with you that fits perfectly with this Bible story (Luke 5:1-11)!

John 3:2

Well, it's February... and with a new month, comes a new Bible verse! Here's the scripture we will be learning this month: 

another snack time prayer

In my previous post, you can see the yummy snack that goes with this prayer :

I am very happy that our little preschoolers enjoyed the snack so much. We will definitely be adding this snack and prayer to more of our lessons!

Jesus grew like me!

Our pre-schoolers had fun yesterday in Sunday School. We are learning about how Jesus grew up (just like them) and read important lessons to learn about God (just like them). He even sometimes made people angry with him.
To add some movement to the lesson, our little ones got to take a walk around the inside of the church. They were asked to picture Jesus walking right alongside them. They could tell Jesus whatever they wanted. How wonderful to help these eager, young learners develop a personal relationship with Jesus!
Returning to the classroom, the children were asked to think about foods that perhaps Jesus ate when he was growing up. So, for snacktime we had flatbread, grapes, and Feta cheese. 

I knew the grapes would be a winner, but to my surprise, the flatbread and cheese were gobbled up, too! Of course I'll never know, but I wonder if the lesson and activities preceding snacktime influenced their willingness to try the new foods. Just a thought in case you have a picky eater at home!
My next post will have a snacktime prayer for this snack. So add flatbread, grapes, and Feta cheese to your grocery list and meet me back here on Thursday!

seeing stars

Our "toddlers & twos" are continuing to learn about the wise men who followed the star to find and worship Jesus. We are also working on identifying the simple star shape. So today I thought I'd share an activity you can use at home. 

*** Tip: If you print this page onto cardstock, it will last a little bit longer. 
Have your little one decorate the stars with crayons, markers, stickers, etc. Then cut out the stars, and work together to line up the stars from smallest to largest. Repeat the activity, but order them from largest to smallest. Click here for a simple song to conclude your activity.
When you are finished, tuck the stars into a plastic bag and toss into your diaper bag. Then you will have an activity ready to play the next time you are stuck waiting with your little one.

Love and Laughs

How about a night out for Mom & Dad... with FREE childcare??!! 

That's right... free childcare. All you have to do is RSVP for your kiddos (up to age 12) and purchase your tickets. While you and your sweetheart enjoy dinner and a show, the kiddos will be enjoying some playtime, crafts, and heart-healthy snacks. How fun!! Click here for more information (and to purchase tickets and reserve child care). Have questions??  Call Marilyn Stevens at 217-638-5545.

the guiding star

On Sunday, our little ones will continue to talk about the star that guided the wise men to Jesus. And we will discuss how Jesus grew from a baby, to a toddler, to a young child. Our lesson will focus on how Jesus changed, and grew, and learned... just like us! 
Here's a simple song you can sing at home with your little ones (to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star) -

Luke 2:52

During the month of January, the remARKable friends will be learning more about the wise men who followed the star to find Jesus, and about Jesus growing up. Our Bible verse for January is: