Bible time with littles

We use sit time or blanket time.  This will take a lot of work but in the end it is a life saver.  Here it is in a nut shell.  Both have the same rules which are layed out up front.  No talking (not even to mom), they can not pick up anything that moves from the blanket or the chair, they have to sit (either in the chair or on the blanket).  So the difference is this .. sit time is with a book or 2 in a “chair”, blanket time is with a “quiet” toy or 2 sitting on a blanket(towels work etc).  Both have only the option of up to “2”.  So you start with a timer and make it look like a game.  Set it for maybe only 2 or 5 min.  which ever you think they can do NO problem.  Remember you are looking to reward them.  Give them the rules and then start.  If they do somthing they are not to do, without talking correct them instantly.  You will have to be consitant which is the hardest part.  You can’t go do dishes or laundry till you know they can do this without you there for a longer period of time.  As they master the 2 or 5 min then add a min or two tell they have what you want them to accomplish.

I hope this helps.  It will in the long end I promise you.  You will be able to use it at the store, dr’s offices, movies, etc.  Misty

I am wondering if you might like Bible Felts.  I forget who makes them, but I think Timberdoodle sells them.  They are pricey.  When my boys were little, my Aunt loaned them to me for awhile.  These were considered EXTREMELY special in our home.  We would read our bible story and then I would set out the appropriate pieces for them to re-enact the story in their own way.  Are you singing kid friendly hymns?  You can make hand motion for these to get them moving.  I also like the book My ABC Bible Verses by Susan Hunt.  

Blessings,

Missy

Hi Jenna, just so you know I have 5 children under the age of 8, so the things I suggest will suit your family’s ages well.

 I highly recommend the ABC Bible Verses also. But here are a few other books and resources we have used and loved..

   Teach them to Your Children (Vision Forum Website)

   Bible Stories to Read with Bible Pictures to Color (Rod and Staff publications)

   One thing I just did on my own was read a proverb a day and have them illustrate something they remembered from the reading. It was such a precious time seeing what each child gleaned from the passage. My younger ones of course couldn’t draw with much detail but a circle was their crown of wisdom..or they asked me to draw two robbers and then a picture of them saying NO I will not go with you..as in Prov. 1:10-15. It was a great time..hmm We never did finish all of the Proverbs maybe I should pick that up again.

     Oh and yes I also recommend the Millers series. Storytime with the Millers is so precious, and Missionary Stories is great..I have come to tears reading several of those stories. Wisdom and the Millers has not been as well received by my kiddos ..to me it seems like the stories are “trying to teach” rather then just being good stories that teach..so I would start with the others first as mentioned above.

   Our 24 Family Ways by Sally Clarkson (we did this with DH during family worship in the evenings)

Four other resources that I have but haven’t used yet:

   Honor your Father and Mother (Pam Forster, Doorposts) 

   The “Put on Chart” Lesson book (Pam Forster, Doorposts) I just got this in the mail and it looks good and fun

    The  Original 21 Rules of this House (Gregg and Joshua Harris) Used just as a reference for creating house rule.

   The Big Picture Bible Time Line (Veritas Press)- could color in the story that you are reading from the Vos storybible and then collect them in a binder or post on wall.

HTH, Blessings

Shelly