Teaching Infants and Toddlers
Welcome! Most of the teaching material on this website is for children aged 3 and older, but this section is specifically for Infants and Toddlers (ages 0-2 years).
Purpose of the Curriculum:
This class is an introduction to a lifetime journey in which God is exalted, and His word is respected. Children learn they are part of a Christian community of faith that loves and appreciates them. Parents are encouraged to participate as teachers and helpers.
The classroom is safe and clean. The teacher and helpers are loving and tender. Learning is done through sensory experiences, singing and simple words and stories.
Depending on class sizes and natural groupings, children usually move into the pre-school class after their 3rd birthday. If the teacher is considerate of learning needs, three-year-olds can still enjoy this curriculum.
Teacher and Helper Expectations:
- Show respect for parents, children and God at all times.
- Prepare the lesson and teaching items before children arrive.
- Record attendance.
- Serve only simple snacks. Note food allergies and what children are allowed to eat or drink.
- Minimise distractions during class. Helpers support the teacher’s interaction with the children. Refrain from conversation while the teacher is engaged with children.
- Keep the room and contents safe, clean and tidy (including vacuuming when needed)
- Disinfect items handled by children when the teaching session is completed
Note: Some children settle into bible class more easily than others. This is completely normal and should not stress parents or teachers.
A Typical 45 Minute Class
1. WELCOME TIME (15 minutes of free play on the floor or mat)
Children gather and settle in so they feel welcome, comfortable and safe. This transition time can include free play, choosing favourite toys, music or singing. Casually steer conversations toward the subject in today’s Bible lesson when appropriate.
2. TABLE TIME (Bible Lesson) (20 minutes sitting at a table)
Helpers move the children to seats at a table and then quietly step back. The teacher sits across from the children and begins to immediately engage them in the lesson activities. Infants and toddlers will enjoy following the lead of the teacher for the Bible theme of the day.
- Bible Time:
During this time, children handle and “read” from little Bibles. - Bible Lesson:
A simple thought or truth from the Bible. This is presented in a way that relates to an infant or toddler’s world. The children engage through singing and sensory activities (hearing, touching, tasting, seeing and smelling). - Craft:
(as time allows) - Prayer and Snack:
A snack is provided by the teacher. This might be fruit, vegetables or plain crackers. The drink is water from a sippy cup. Children pray before the snack and “help” clean up afterwards. Please discuss your child’s preferences and any allergies or issues.
3. TIME TO SETTLE (10 minutes back on the floor or mat)
Children can give cuddles or feed baby dolls with bottles. Quiet music or nature sounds help settle and calm the children before parents or caregivers arrive to pick them up from class. This enables a positive transition.
Curriculum Downloads:
You may download and use these infant and toddler lessons free of cost for your personal or church use, but please do not otherwise reproduce or distribute them without direct permission from Mary Nelson at mary@missionbibleclass.org
For more information, see Mission Bible Class Copyright Conditions
- DOWNLOAD: Additional Resources- Songs and Materials
- DOWNLOAD: Lesson Plan Template:
(A4 size paper) OR (Letter size paper, USA) - DOWNLOAD: Parent Information for Infant & Toddler Class
Choose from these 3 themes:
If you are viewing a printed page, then use this QR code to view online and access the downloads.
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Thank u
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🙂
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The material is great! Are there plans to develop a whole year curriculum i.e. 52 lessons?
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Hi Catherine
I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the lessons. I finally finished the “My Friend Jesus” series this week! Sometimes next year I hope to add a series on Noah, too.
When I wrote this series my goal was to slow things down. I want the teacher and the child to take a gentle approach and savor the sensory experiences that infants and toddlers enjoy. My expectation is that each lesson would be taught at least twice. Infants and toddlers love repetition so I don’t feel a need to have 52 different lessons over a year.
Here’s how we do it at our church:
We begin term 1 after the Christmas break (which is our summer here in New Zealand!)
Term 1: God Created (6 lessons- each taught twice)
Term 2: God With Me (6 lessons- each taught twice)
Term 3: God Created (repeat as we did Term 1)
Term 4: My Friend Jesus (6 lessons- each taught twice)Our teachers love teaching the Creation series and the children look forward to it. When I finish the Noah series we will probably begin using that in Term 3.
I hope you enjoy these last lessons. They were fun to write.
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Amazing work! Thank you for making it available for free! It is a huge blessing to small churches with little to no budget!
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Thank you, Tamara. I had small churches in mind when I created Mission Bible Class. I’m glad you’ve been blessed!
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Wow! This is AWESOME and I cannot wait to use your lessons at our church! I love how your lessons focus on sensory for toddlers to engage and learn!
I noticed from the question and reply above that you use each lesson twice for the repetition. Do you use the same lesson back to back like 2 weeks in a row before moving on to the next?
Also, is there somewhere on your site that has the info/resources how you all do your bible time with the toddlers (used at the table time for them to become familiar with the Bible)?
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Hi Kaylee
I’m so glad you are enjoying these lessons. Yes, I teach the same lesson twice in a row (and have sometimes even done it more times if the children are really into it). For instance, I did this with the lesson https://missionbibleclass.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/creation_4-soil-and-sprouts2.pdf because the children loved handling the stones, sand and plants. I felt no need to rush them through this for no apparent reason or benefit.
There are a couple of other advantages to this. When training new teachers or introducing parents to the idea of teaching they can observe one week and then copy it the next. Secondly, by teaching it twice in a row I don’t have to put all of the teaching items away and then take them out again.
As for the Bible time here is a little more information: https://missionbibleclass.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/c_bible-time.pdf
You can find explanations for each part of the class at https://missionbibleclass.org/understanding-age-groups/infants-and-toddlers-0-2-year-olds/class-schedule-for-infants-and-toddlers/
I’d love to hear how it goes for you! God bless you for teaching the little ones.
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wow i am flabbergasted!!! This is an amazing Bible curiculumn you have made here. I cant wait to see what you have next!! God Bless you!
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Thank you, Leslie!
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