Sunday School Activities for Toddlers

Many churches take the stand that toddlers are too young for Sunday school and belong in the nursery, and while there are two theories on the subject, many parents appreciate the nursery, and are contented with this arrangement. Others, however, strongly recommend including toddlers in the Sunday school program, taking into consideration their attention span and ability to understand. The key question in making this decision is: "Does a toddler enjoy a bed-time story?" If the answer is yes, a Sunday school program that includes toddlers should definitely be considered.

One of the things that keep children happy in a nursery is the toys, especially toys that they don't have at home. These can keep a nursery child happy and contented until their parents come to collect them, but it is possible, to give them all these fascinating toys and a Sunday school lesson, too? The secret is to plot the time carefully and divide it into sections that include the following: story time, talk about the story time, activities, prayer time and playtime.

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Out of the hour, thirty minutes should be allotted to play time, and thirty minutes to other activities. But varying opinions exist over whether playtime should open Sunday school or close it, or if story time should be first or last.

Sunday School Activities for Toddlers

The advantages of opening with story time is that the children are fresh, alert and ready to listen. The disadvantages are that children wander in late and don't know what is happening, and the other children have to wait until the late-comers have been caught up. All of that does not make for a successful start.

Putting playtime first and story time second has just as many disadvantages. If a toddler is engrossed in playing with a toy and is pulled away to listen to a story, it can be so frustrating for a child so young that temper tantrums arise as well as tears. Negative feelings about the encounter is not going to make a child love to come.

The ideal solution is one that would keep the toddler's mind occupied until the teacher is sure that all of the children have arrived and start the story. Some sort of gimmick to keep their attention for that first ten or fifteen minutes is the ideal solution, and different Sunday school teachers have come up with gimmicks that work Sunday after Sunday.

"My solution never fails," one teacher said, "even though the children have seen it a hundred times. It's an elephant the size of a pea with a seat on its back that pulls out. Inside are one hundred ivory colored miniature elephants that are paper thin and the size of a pin head. Once I pour them onto the table, the toddlers take turns picking them up and tucking them back inside the elephant. I've never had a single child try to put one in his mouth! The only problem is if a child sneezes. Then elephants fly everywhere and we have to get down on our hands and knees to search for them."

Other teachers have similar gimmicks to do with fitting smaller things into bigger things (a favorite toddler pastime), like filling Tupperware containers with blocks-the orange in one, the blue in another, and red in another. She dumps them all out in one pile and has the group sort and refill the different sized boxes. One teacher makes bible snacks for kids to keep the little ones engaged and learning. One teacher had a fist puppet who converses with the children, and has problems that are human but somehow endearing, like a passion for chocolate.

One teacher said, "My puppet is a lamb whom we call Lamb Chops", and what makes it so easy is that toddlers love repetition. As soon as he pulls out a candy bar, they start screaming about cavities. But Lamb Chops has a tooth brush and the children applaud when they see it. (Lamb Chops has a piece of velcro attached to one hand and another on the handle of the tooth brush so he can puck it up and pretend to brush.) That fifteen minute period, waiting for late-comers is over before we know it."

The success of story time, which is basically the purpose of Sunday school for toddlers, will depend the way the story is told, and most teachers depend on professionals who know and understand the capabilities of toddlers. The internet is full of Bible stories addressed to every audience, and the careful selection of one for toddlers is essential.

While many churches operate and offer a nursery for toddlers, others prefer to include them in the Sunday school program. In making this decision it is important to remember: If a toddler enjoys a bed-time story, that child can love a Bible story.

Sunday School Activities for Toddlers

Mary-Kate Warner is the publisher of Christianity Cove, the web's #1 resource for Bible games crafts, lesson plans, and ideas for teachers.

Challah French Toast Casserole For Breakfast

One of my favorite breads is Challah. Many weeks, we'd start a loaf on Friday and by Monday, it was gone. French toast made with challah is just wonderful.

We have made our own challah and we've bought challah at both stores and bakeries.

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If you make your own challah, you can knead by hand and allow to rise, or you can use a bread machine. We've tried many different challah recipes. We do have our favorite but several of them have been very good.

Challah French Toast Casserole For Breakfast

There are also a few stores that make challah that we all like.

I'd like to share a French toast casserole recipe that uses one full loaf of challah.

French Toast Casserole

1 loaf of challah
1 cup of milk (whole milk or half and half works best)
(if your challah is large add additional liquid to the recipe)
¾ cup brown sugar
8 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
½ teaspoon cinnamon
Salt to taste

Slice the challah into 1 ½ inch thick slices. Place in the bottom of a casserole dish. Tear the bread as needed to fit into the casserole dish. Mix together the remaining ingredients. Pour over the casserole, cover and store in refrigerator over night.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 45 minutes.

I have seen both ginger and nutmeg used in French toast casserole recipes. If you like those flavors, you can add ½ teaspoon of nutmeg or ¼ teaspoon ground ginger. Both will add additional flavor to the casserole.

You can also add either cranberries or raisins to the recipe. Pour the fruit on top of the bread in the casserole dish before pouring the liquid mixture on top.

When the casserole is done, cut into squares to serve. You can sprinkle powdered sugar on top, spoon fruit filling over the top or pour syrup on top.

Challah French Toast Casserole For Breakfast

Audrey's mom always entertained when she was growing up. Audrey learned to prepare for large groups and has often entertained 15-30 people in her home at a time. You can find more great recipes at http://www.recipe-barn.com

Healthy Smoothies for Kids - Fruit and Vegetable Smoothies

Treats can be healthy, especially if they are fruit and vegetable smoothies. These healthy smoothies for kids can add a few vegetables into your kids' diet and they won't even notice. And even if they did, they won't complain. Fruit and vegetable smoothies for kids are delicious and nutritious. It's an amazing way to introduce them to healthy eating habits.

It may be a good idea to introduce your kids to fruit smoothies first. That way, they will learn to love smoothies. Then, gradually add a vegetable or two. You can start with carrots. They are naturally sweet and the taste goes well with apples, pears, oranges and other fruits.

\"Snacks For Kids\"

Tips for Making Healthy Smoothies for Kids

Healthy Smoothies for Kids - Fruit and Vegetable Smoothies

Smoothies are popular kids' snacks because they are so easy to make. All you need is a good blender. Use whatever fruits you have. Add some milk, yogurt and ice cubes. Here are a few tips for a great-tasting, nutritious smoothie:

Experiment with different fruit and vegetable juices.

Add half a cup of carrots or celery to the recipe. Once the vegetable is blended, you'll have an extra-healthy smoothie that tastes great.

Add oat bran, almonds, flax seed or wheat germ for extra fiber and nutrition.

When using canned fruit, include the juice for additional flavor.

Healthy Smoothie Recipes for Kids

To make the healthy smoothie recipes below, add all ingredients in a blender. Blend until you get the desired consistency.

Grape Smoothie

  • 1/2 cup grape juice
  • 1/4 cup seedless grapes
  • 1/4 cup pineapple with juice
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup ice cubes

Fruit Yogurt Smoothie

  • 1 cup ice
  • 1/2 cup frozen orange juice concentrate
  • 1 cup vanilla soy milk
  • 1 banana, peeled and sliced
  • 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
  • 1 tbsp honey

Banana Oatmeal Smoothie

  • 1 ripe banana, preferably frozen
  • 1 tbsp peanut butter
  • 1 tbsp flax seed
  • 1/4 cup oatmeal
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 scoop whey protein powder
  • 1 cup ice

Healthy Blue Smoothie

  • 1 cup frozen blueberries
  • 1 cup fresh spinach leaves
  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 tbsp honey

Delicious Emerald Smoothie

  • 2 cups fresh, ripe pineapple, peeled, cored and sliced
  • 1 stalk celery, cut into small pieces
  • 1 cup spinach leaves, gently packed
  • 1/2 vanilla yogurt
  • 2 cups ice
  • Honey to taste (optional)

Healthy Smoothies for Kids - Fruit and Vegetable Smoothies

Visit Healthy Smoothies HQ now to learn much more about smoothies, specially about smoothies for kids.