How to Introduce Jesus to a Toddler

Introducing Jesus to your toddler is a beautiful journey that sets the foundation for a lifetime of faith.

Toddlers are curious, imaginative, and full of wonder, making this the perfect time to start teaching them about Jesus in a way that resonates with their age and understanding.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate this important task.

1. Make Jesus Part of Everyday Life

Incorporate Jesus in Daily Routines

Integrating Jesus into everyday activities can make His presence feel natural and constant.

Here’s how you can do this:

Morning Routine:

Start the day with a simple prayer thanking Jesus for a new day.

Meals:

Say grace before meals, thanking Jesus for the food.

Bedtime:

Read a Bible story before bed and say a short prayer.

Use Simple Language

When talking about Jesus, use language that your toddler can understand.

For example, instead of saying “Jesus is our Savior,” you could say “Jesus loves us and takes care of us.”

2. Read Bible Stories

Choose Age-Appropriate Bible Stories

Toddlers love stories, especially ones with colorful pictures and simple plots.

Look for children’s Bibles designed for their age group. Some popular ones include:

The Beginner’s Bible:

Filled with bright illustrations and simple text.

Jesus Storybook Bible:

Each story points back to Jesus, emphasizing His love and grace.

Make Storytime Interactive

Engage your toddler by asking questions about the story.

For example:

“What do you think Jesus is doing in this picture?”
“How do you think the people felt when Jesus helped them?”

3. Use Songs and Music

Sing Simple Songs About Jesus

Music is a fantastic way to teach toddlers.

Songs are memorable and can convey big ideas in a fun way.

Some popular choices include:

“Jesus Loves Me”
“This Little Light of Mine”
“He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”

Create a Worship Playlist

Make a playlist of toddler-friendly worship songs that you can play during car rides or playtime.

This helps keep Jesus in their minds throughout the day.

4. Engage in Arts and Crafts

Bible-Themed Crafts

Arts and crafts are a great way to make Bible stories tangible. Here are some ideas:

Coloring Pages:

Print out Bible story coloring pages.

Craft Projects:

Create simple crafts like a cross made from popsicle sticks or a paper plate angel.

Display Their Work

Hang their artwork around the house to remind them of the stories they’ve learned.

This also gives you an opportunity to discuss Jesus in everyday conversations.

5. Model Your Faith

Let Them See You Pray

Your toddler learns a lot by watching you. Make sure they see you pray and read the Bible.

This demonstrates that Jesus is important in your life too.

Share Personal Stories

Tell your child about times when Jesus has helped you or answered your prayers.

Personal stories make the concept of Jesus more relatable.

6. Attend Church Together

Choose a Child-Friendly Church

Find a church that has a strong children’s ministry.

Many churches offer Sunday School programs specifically for toddlers, which can be a great way for them to learn about Jesus with their peers.

Participate in Church Activities

Attend family services, church picnics, and other events.

This helps your toddler see that learning about Jesus is a community activity.

7. Answer Their Questions

Be Ready for Questions

Toddlers are naturally curious and will likely have lots of questions about Jesus.

Answer them as honestly and simply as you can.

If you don’t know the answer, it’s okay to say you’ll find out together.

Encourage Curiosity

Encourage your child to ask questions and express their thoughts about Jesus.

This fosters a deeper understanding and a personal connection to their faith.

8. Celebrate Christian Holidays

Christmas and Easter

These holidays are perfect opportunities to teach your toddler about Jesus.

Focus on the true meaning of these celebrations:

Christmas:

Explain that Christmas is Jesus’ birthday and tell the story of His birth.

Easter:

Talk about how Jesus rose from the dead and what that means for us.

Make Traditions

Create family traditions that highlight Jesus.

For example, have a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas or do an Easter resurrection egg hunt.

9. Pray Together

Short and Simple Prayers

Praying together teaches your toddler how to talk to Jesus.

Keep prayers short and simple, like:

“Dear Jesus, thank you for today. Amen.”
“Jesus, please help us to be kind. Amen.”

Include Them in Prayer Time

Let your child take turns praying.

This helps them feel involved and shows that their prayers are important too.

10. Use Everyday Moments

Teach Through Everyday Actions

Use everyday moments to teach about Jesus’ love and kindness.

For example:

Sharing:

When your child shares, you can say, “Jesus loves it when we share.”

Helping:

When they help, say, “You’re helping just like Jesus would.”

Be Consistent

Consistency is key.

The more you incorporate Jesus into daily life, the more natural it’ll become for your toddler.

Conclusion

Introducing Jesus to your toddler is about weaving His presence into the fabric of everyday life.

Use stories, songs, prayers, and your own example to show your child who Jesus is and how much He loves them.

By making Jesus a constant, loving presence, you’re setting a foundation for a strong and enduring faith.

Remember, the goal is to make learning about Jesus a joyous and integral part of their early years.

FAQs: How to Introduce Jesus to a Toddler

1. What’s the best way to start teaching my toddler about Jesus?

The best way to start is by incorporating Jesus into your daily routines.

Use simple language, read age-appropriate Bible stories, and include prayers in your morning and bedtime routines.

2. How do I explain who Jesus is to a toddler?

Use simple and clear language.

You can say, “Jesus is a special friend who loves us very much and takes care of us.”

Keep your explanations short and relate them to concepts your toddler understands.

3. What Bible stories are suitable for toddlers?

Look for children’s Bibles with colorful illustrations and simple text.

Popular choices include The Beginner’s Bible and Jesus Storybook Bible.

Stories about Jesus’ birth, His miracles, and His love for children are great starting points.

4. How can music help in teaching my toddler about Jesus?

Music is memorable and engaging for toddlers.

Simple songs like “Jesus Loves Me” and “This Little Light of Mine” can help instill important messages about Jesus.

Create a playlist of toddler-friendly worship songs to play during car rides or playtime.

5. Are there any specific crafts or activities that can help?

Yes, arts and crafts are fantastic tools.

Use Bible-themed coloring pages and simple craft projects like making a cross from popsicle sticks or creating a paper plate angel.

Display their artwork to remind them of the stories they’ve learned.

6. How do I answer my toddler’s questions about Jesus?

Answer their questions as honestly and simply as possible.

Encourage their curiosity and be open to finding answers together if you’re unsure.

This fosters a deeper understanding and connection to their faith.

7. Should we attend church, and how do I find the right one?

Attending church can reinforce what you’re teaching at home.

Look for a church with a strong children’s ministry that offers programs for toddlers.

Participate in family services and church activities to help your child see that learning about Jesus is a community activity.

8. How do I pray with my toddler?

Keep prayers short and simple.

Let your toddler take turns praying to make them feel involved.

Examples include, “Dear Jesus, thank you for today. Amen,” and “Jesus, please help us to be kind. Amen.”

9. What’s the importance of celebrating Christian holidays?

Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter provide opportunities to teach your toddler about Jesus.

Focus on the true meaning of these celebrations, such as Jesus’ birth at Christmas and His resurrection at Easter.

Create family traditions that highlight these aspects.

10. How can I make learning about Jesus a part of everyday life?

Teach through everyday actions and moments.

When your child shares or helps, relate these actions to Jesus’ teachings.

Consistency is key; the more you incorporate Jesus into daily life, the more natural it’ll become for your toddler.

11. Can I use stories and personal experiences to teach about Jesus?

Absolutely.

Share personal stories about how Jesus has helped you or answered your prayers.

This makes the concept of Jesus more relatable and helps your toddler understand His presence in real-life situations.

12. What if my toddler seems disinterested?

Keep trying different methods and be patient.

Use a variety of tools like stories, songs, and crafts to keep things interesting.

Remember, consistency and patience are essential as toddlers have short attention spans and varying interests.

By addressing these frequently asked questions, you can effectively introduce Jesus to your toddler, making the process enjoyable and meaningful for both of you.