With this in mind, we should provide learning opportunities which incorporate seeing, hearing, saying, and doing. The Here A Little, There A Little lessons on this blog are designed to teach a Bible verse using as many senses as possible.
Some interesting statistics:
Children can recall 3 hours later 70% of what we tell them, and only 10% of it 3 days later.
They can recall 3 hours later 72% of what we show them, and only 20% of it 3 days later.
Children can recall 3 hours later 85% of what we tell and show them , and 65% of it 3 days later.
I recently had the opportunity to visit with my mentor, Dr. Jo Bevington. Three years ago I first wrote about her on my blog; click here to read that post.
When Jo was 58 she earned her Doctorate in Preschool Education. Her dissertation was ‘Faith Development in Children Birth through Three’!! She has taught at Biola University and New Orleans Seminary, served as Minister to Preschoolers in several large churches; and has been my friend and mentor for 30 years now. It is her profound and lasting impact on my life that has instilled in me the strong desire I have for establishing God’s Word in children.
Jo contacted me about a year ago when she was about to move into a nursing home; she wanted to give me all her files from a lifetime of working with children!!!!! She is 88, is almost blind, walks with a walker, and only quit teaching preschoolers about two years ago!!!
Billy and I took a quick trip to Texas last week to pick up the files and spend time with Jo. It was a privilege to sit at her feet again. She has always inspired me with her intimate relationship with the Lord. Her spirit shines forth so strongly that I hardly noticed her physical limitations. (2 Cor. 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.)
Here are some videos of our time with Jo. Please watch and be inspired by this 88 year old saint who passionately walks with the Lord and loves children like no one else I have ever met!
How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!
Psalm 133:1
God desires your children to get along more than you do – He calls it a good and pleasant thing!!!! But dealing with the sibling rivalry, among preschoolers especially, is anything but pleasant; it is an exhausting 24/7 job to deal with each disagreement or aggressive behavior.
Sibling rivalry must be dealt with patiently, persistently, and perceptively:
Patience is accepting a difficult situation from God without giving Him a deadline to remove it. Be patient as God works in the life of your children. “We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy,” Col. 1:11
Persistence means purposing to accomplish God’s goals in God’s time regardless of the opposition. Don’t give up; you will see the fruit of your labor!! “So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.” Galatians 6:9
Perception is discerning or seeing through a surface problem to root causes and then dealing with those causes rather than always punishing the surface problem. “The Lord doesn’t make decisions the way you do! People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions.” 1 Samuel 16:7
Why is your child refusing to share? Why is he acting out? Why does he push his sibling? We want others to understand when we have a bad attitude. Try to understand why your child is having issues. Ask God to show you the root causes and how to deal with them. He will never fail you when you ask Him to lead you.
He will feed his flock like a shepherd.
He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young. Isaiah 40:11
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36
Another holiday is another opportunity to teach your children why we celebrate. Try to always have a centerpiece that represents the holiday so you can be reminded to talk about it at meal times.
This weekend we need to help our children understand that God has allowed us to live in a free country and that many brave soldiers have fought physical and spiritual battles to ensure we have FREEDOM.
Conversation:
Explain that we have physical freedom in our country to go where we want to go and do what we want to do. Soldiers gave up their lives so we could live in a free country. Tell your children about America’s history. Watch these informative Early American Series videos and then retell the stories in your own words to your younger children; be animated and use visuals if possible. Older children might enjoy watching the videos.
Be sure and emphasis that we have the highest form of freedom, spiritual freedom, because Christ died on the cross to set us free from the punishment for sin and free from the power of sin which is freedom to make wise choices. Since Christ’s death and resurrection, many soldiers for Christ have fought spiritual battles against the enemy, Satan, so we can know the message of salvation.
Prayer:
Thank you, God, for the freedom we have in our country to go where we want to go and do what we want to do. Thank you, Jesus, for dying on the Cross so we can be free from the punishment and power of sin. Thank you for the soldiers who fight for freedom.
