10 Simple Moments to Introduce Your Toddler to Jesus
For many Christian parents, we want our children to know Jesus but might not feel confident in how to do that or even when to do it. Many families think that if they wait until their child is old enough to hold a “real conversation,” it will be easier. The truth is, you can begin to introduce babies and toddlers to Jesus using these 10 simple moments.
What Can I Teach My Toddler about God?
Here are a few other simple truths toddlers can begin to know about Jesus and God:
- God is real.
- Jesus is God.
- Jesus loves them.
- God created them and everything.
- He takes care of them.
- God wants us to talk to Him.
When Can I Teach My Toddler about Jesus?
You can introduce your toddler to Jesus in everyday moments. As you begin to model seeing and interacting with Jesus in the everyday moments, your child will, too.
Here are 10 simple moments to introduce your toddler to Jesus:
Wake Up
This is the day the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
How toddlers wake up sets the tone for the day. Be sure to include connection and delight with your child. Then, say, “Good morning, Jesus! Thank you for this day.”
Diaper Changes
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
Diaper changes always remind me of how helpless I am in cleaning myself up from sin and how unconditional Jesus’s love for me is. Use these intimate moments to remind your child how much they are loved no matter what and how remarkable God made.
Bath Time
Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Life is messy. Bath time is a beautiful opportunity to share with your toddler that everyone makes mistakes. But Jesus will clean them up when they ask him to.
Meals
Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
Meals are a natural time to talk about God’s provision- physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Use fun, playful rhymes and songs as blessings before meals. But also use this as a time to ask questions together. “I wonder what Jesus’s favorite food is?”
Playtime
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!
If you have a toddler, they need lots of playtime. Play is how children learn and process what they are learning. This makes play the perfect opportunity for nurturing your child’s faith.
You can do this by inviting Jesus to play with you in prayer, adding Bible-based toys to your play, or simply talking about God as you play. For example, if your child is playing with blocks, you can say, “Did you know that God is called our strong tower?”
Outside Time
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Psalm 19:1 NLT tells us that “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship.” We can remember that when we are outside with our toddlers or even looking out the window.
Being outside has many benefits for toddlers, one of which is that we can see, touch, and smell things that God has created. Invite your child’s senses to participate in the discipleship process while you point out the Creator of it all.
Music
Sing a new song of praise to Him;
play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.
Toddlers love to sing, dance, and make music. Take advantage of that joy and teach your child to worship Jesus in those moments. Whether it is old hymns, Sunday school songs, or contemporary praise and worship, model and lead your child in worship of our God.
Reading Time
Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.
Reading both Christian and secular books is a wonderful opportunity to talk to your toddler about Jesus.
According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, “It is the talk that surrounds the storybook reading that gives it power, helping children to bridge what is in the story and their own lives.” So remember, when you read the last word, don’t just close the book. Start a conversation.
Boo-boos and Big Feelings
He heals the brokenhearted
and bandages their wounds.
As any toddler parent knows, boo-boos and big feelings are everyday occurrences. If we can begin to use them as discipleship opportunities, our children will learn to grow from and in them.
No feeling is too big for God, and no boo-boo is too little to take to Him.
Bed-time
In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.
As we tuck our toddlers into bed, often anxiety can take over as children recognize that you will be walking away and they will be losing connection. Instead, help comfort them by teaching them that Jesus never leaves them and God doesn’t sleep. He is always there for them.
Jesus and Toddlers in Everyday Moments
Your toddler’s brain is learning and growing more now than it will for the rest of their life, and “neurons that fire together, wire together.” That means that these everyday connections with Jesus are helping to build not only your child’s heart but also their brain to recognize and connect with Jesus.
Mistakes, boo-boos, big emotions, bath time, bed, and more are optimal opportunities to help your toddler see and turn to Jesus. You have the Holy Spirit to guide you, and you can do it!
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