How to Teach the Catholic Religion to Toddlers
Many Catholic parents want their children to begin learning about their Catholic faith at a very young age because they want the values and ideas of the church to be an important part of the way their children learn and make decisions. In Catholic preschools -- an option for some parents -- teachers provide fun activities, simple stories and meaningful prayer time. However, teaching toddlers about the Catholic faith requires more than just a classroom. Parents must also teach their children at home
1) Pray with your toddler at least once a day. Begin the morning with a prayer, say a prayer of thanks before enjoying a family meal or end the day with a prayer.
2) Read bedtime stories from a children's Bible. Although reading from an adult Bible might be suitable for older children, children's Bibles include short stories that children can easily understand.
3) Provide activities that use the five senses. Play worship music in the car, light a candle during prayer time or, with your toddler, create finger paintings of images from the Bible stories you read.
4) Register your child with a Catholic preschool in your area. These schools can be an excellent tool for parents who are trying to teach their children about the Catholic faith. Because the learning at Catholic preschools centers around the Catholic faith, children gain a well-rounded knowledge of how being Catholic affects their daily lives. Catholic preschools also make religion fun by incorporating prayer time, religious arts, crafts, music and other activities that help build a foundation in the Catholic faith.
5) Attend Mass with your child every Sunday. Although most toddlers probably will not understand exactly what is going on around them, attending Mass as a family gives your child a positive example that will last a lifetime. It also teaches children the importance of setting aside time each week for God, which is an important Church teaching.
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