Video Archives - Page 2 of 9 - Train Up The Child

Welcoming a New Baby into the Family

June 3, 2015June 3, 2015 by Sheilah

Henry is loving Violet!

This past week our 2 1/2 year old grandson became a big brother!!! Jon and Mallory have done a good job preparing Henry for his little sister’s arrival during the months of waiting. Henry absolutely loves ‘his baby’!!!

It is very important to assure the older child that he is just as special as the baby. A good Bible verse to use is “I will praise God for I am wonderfully made” – Psalm 139:14. This link has suggested activities to reinforce how wonderfully made he and the baby are.

I know how tiring those first few days are after having had a baby, but please try to be intentional with time together with the older child.

– read books about new babies
– look at pictures of him as a baby
– let him diaper a teddy bear
– give him special jobs to do
– be lavish with praise and hugs

There are a number of books and videos about a new baby. Here are some suggestions:

The New Baby by Mercer Mayer

The New Baby by Ruth and Harold Shane (an oldie but goodie)

Big Brother Daniel (DVD)

Big Brother Daniel (book)

The New Baby By Mister Rogers

Mister Rogers has an excellent song about when a new baby comes.

Remember – America is the Home of the Free Because of the Brave!!!

May 22, 2015May 22, 2015 by Sheilah

Joshua 4:6-7 points out that God wants our children to know about the past and to understand the reason for things we do in the present. Have you been intentional in making sure your children know it is so much more than grilling out or a trip to the lake.? How will they know if you don’t tell them? During this Memorial Day weekend please be sure to talk to your children about the reason for the celebration. Tell them Memorial Day is meant to be a time to remember the American soldiers who died in service to our country. Teach them to value the ultimate sacrifice these soldiers made for us all.

The history of Memorial Day originally began in 1868 as a day to decorate the graves of soldiers who died in the Civil War. In more recent years our government passed a resolution that Memorial Day be observed on the last Monday of May as an occasion to remember and honor the men and women who died in all wars.

Memorial Day honors American service members who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle, while Veterans Day pays tribute to ALL American veterans, but especially honoring living veterans who have served their country. You can keep the days straight by the fact that Memorial Day is in May and it has to do with the memory of those who died.

Regardless of how you might feel about the present state of America, don’t fail to remember those who died for her in the past. Here are some resources and ideas to help you lead your children to appreciate what the day means:

Ministry-to-Children.com has a great Bible lesson for Memorial Day based on the above verse.
This thestir.cafemom.com has a list of 10 traditions, more important than the barbecue, to add to your Memorial Day celebration that actually relate to the reason for the holiday
Show pictures of and tell them about any family members or friends that have served
Teach them patriotic songs http://thedebtweowe.com/8-patriotic-songs-you-should-teach-your-children
Listen to patriotic music. Here’s a good cd to purchase: America’s Favorite Patriotic Songs for Kids
Watch patriotic movies
March like a soldier: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOb7CEXxG-w

Our boys loved to pretend to be soldiers, dressing in full camouflage.
When they got older they made this short film to illustrate one of their father’s sermons:
http://youtu.be/M9-_nSHugK

“I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free
and I won’t forget the men who died who gave that right to me”

It’s time to get outside in God’s beautiful world!

May 3, 2015May 3, 2015 by Sheilah

“You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.
Nehemiah 9:6

I love all the seasons, but especially the warmer ones. I am looking forward to spending lots of time outside. As you experience the beauty of God’s creation during this season, please remember to share with your children that it IS God’s creation. Lead them to praise Him. Make up songs about it. Here’s one suggestion:

https://youtu.be/AbWgeJOMQ4U

Hopefully you will get to take a family trip this summer, maybe to the beach to get sand between your toes. To The Sea by Callie Grant is a book about a day at the beach that young children will enjoy. The pictures by Jeremy Tugeau make you almost able to smell the sea air. (The author’s mission is to encourage and equip parents to effectively teach their kids about God and His creation, even at a very young age.) (Check out some of her other books on this site here.) In the book the sand castle is washed away by the sea, but the boy builds one on a rock and it stands safe. Play in the sand and tell this parable from Matthew 7:24-29.

Even if you can’t get away this summer, take advantage of every opportunity around you to enjoy God’s beautiful world with your children. Jesus used visuals from nature as he taught.
Read Matthew 6:25-33 and be ready to share His teachings the next time you are outside observing birds or looking at flowers.

Hike, explore, play in the sand. Start collecting things from nature – moss, feathers, shells, rocks, leaves, seeds, an abandoned bird’s nest or wasp nest. Make a nature box full of items you can enjoy all year. And don’t forget to point out that all God’s creation praise Him!

All your works praise you, LORD; your faithful people extol you.
Psalm 145:10

Side Note: Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says to speak of God and His word as we go. Everything doesn’t have to be related to a Bible verse, but as you discover things on your nature walk you could say, “Think of the wonders of God” (Job 37:14) or “all God’s works praise Him” (Psalm 145:10)

Ideas for Day Four of Passion Week

April 1, 2015March 29, 2015 by Sheilah

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
John 15:13

Jesus talked a lot about giving on Day Four of Passion Week. Of course He had every right to do that since He was about to give the ultimate gift of His life on the cross for the sins of the world.

Encourage your children to give today as you talk about how much Jesus gave. Bake Easter cookies (see recipe below) in the shape of a cross to share with neighbors. As you make them, talk about Jesus’ gift to us. Say:

Everybody has done wrong things such as disobeying, lying, being unkind, etc. God calls this sin and there must be punishment for it. But Jesus loved us so much that He took the punishment for all the wrong things that were done or would ever be done. He died on the cross so we would not have to. We can now have a happy life forever with God.

In your giving today, don’t forget to give thanks to Jesus for His gift of life to us. Here’s some simple thankful songs Make up your own songs together.

My mother’s old-fashioned tea cookies recipe:

3/4 cup crisco or butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 & 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 & 1/2 cup Self-rising flour
Mix all together, roll out, and cut into shapes
(If you don’t have a cross cookie cutter, roll out 2 small ropes & lay one across the other to make a cross.)
Bake at 350 for about 12 minutes.

Ice with butter cream frosting:
1 box confectioner sugar
dash of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup milk
1/3 cup butter

Here’s a cute video about the ultimate Gift 🙂 https://youtu.be/8SoSGDNWT2c

What is Palm Sunday?

March 29, 2015March 29, 2015 by Sheilah

Read all about Palm Sunday at Day One of Passion Week. Tell the story with enthusiasm to your children.

Make palm leaves out of green construction paper or white paper and paint green. Let children cut into the edges to make the leaves.

Act out the story: use a stick horse or a broom as the donkey or even let dad be the donkey 🙂 Let one child be Jesus and as he rides into the city, the rest of the family can wave the leaves.

Have fun teaching the Greatest Story ever told this Passion Week!! Follow Train Up The Child for information and ideas all week.

Here’s a great song to sing as you act out the story: https://youtu.be/Kht2SR8P0ko