With young children we have to keep in mind that small children do
not think in abstracts. It has to be something they can manipulate,
touch and feel. Young children would have a hard time grasping
these concepts. However, do I think we should begin to talk about
these concepts and teach them even at an early age? Absolutely.
When we sow seeds in fertile soil, it takes root and grows.
However, the harvest usually doesn't come until later. The Bible
teaches us that we sow the seed, but it is God who makes the seed
grow. Early development comes quickly for some and slowly for
others. Plant two seeds in the soil and one will usually bloom
ahead of the other. Depending on how the concepts are taught, small
children can understand that Jesus loves them and wants them to love
Him with all their hearts. But the concepts of "being born again,"
and "salvation by faith," will not be fully grasped until a little
later when children begin to think in abstracts.
As far as getting children's parents involved, obviously the parents
must themselves have a personal relationship with Christ. Living
out the principles taught in God's Word is the best lessons of all.
If they will read God's Word to their children, pray with them, and
practice consistently in every-day life what they read from the
Word, their children will grasp and understand the teachings of
Christ. As they "see" Jesus in their parents' lives, they will want
Him to come into their lives as well.
One of the most important steps a teacher can take in helping
parents teach their children involves bridge building.
Communicating with parents is important. Offer suggestions for
follow-up. Children learn through repetition. Suggest a story. If
there is an art that will reinforce the lesson, ask a parent to
create with their children and talk to them about what they are
creating. Object lessons are great for small children, too.
Suggest an object lesson that parents can use to reinforce what is
learned in the classroom. For instance, a pumpkin can be used to
teach that Jesus takes all the "yucky" stuff out of our hearts and
places his light in us that shines out through our smile. Carve a
pumpkin and place a candle inside for the child to see. Suggest a
song to sing or play at home. Parents will welcome suggestions to
help reinforce and "water" the seed sown in the classroom.
--
by Linda Stevenson
