Mission Bible Class

Free Teaching Resources for Sharing the Bible with Children

Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers (Ages 0-2)

Circular badge with two green baby footprints and the text'Infant & Toddler Curriculum' around the edge, on a light blue background.

Teaching Infants and Toddlers

Welcome! Most of the teaching material on this website relates to children aged three and older, but this section is specific to the learning needs of Infants and Toddlers (ages 0-2 years).

Purpose of the Curriculum:

Beige decorative card with the verse: 'You have known the Holy Scriptures since you were a child' (2 Timothy 3:15), bordered by orange flowers and pale green footprints.

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, children usually move into the pre-school class near their 3rd birthday.

A Typical 45 Minute Class

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.

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.

Time to Settle (10 minutes back on the floor or mat)

Children can give cuddles or feed bottles to baby dolls. 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.

Teacher Expectations:

  • Prepare the lesson and teaching items before class time
  • Minimise distractions during class (the helpers should support the teacher’s interaction with the children by refraining from conversation with the teacher or children and handling outside interruptions)
  • Keep the room clean and tidy (including vacuuming when needed), and
  • 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.

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

Choose One of the Themes by Clicking Below:

Poster advertising Mission Bible Class infant and toddler curriculum, with a sun emblem and'God Created' theme.
God Created 6 Lessons
Cover image for Mission Bible Class: blue house icon inside a light blue circle with the title'God is With Me'.
God is With Me 6 Lessons
Cover of a Mission Bible Class flyer: blue circle with hands holding a heart and the text'Infant & Toddler Curriculum' and 'My Friendly Jesus'
My Friend Jesus 6 Lessons

Leave a Reply

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  1. Anna Lynch avatar
    Anna Lynch

    Hi Mary, I have been looking at your curriculum as an option for a nursery for a weekend mission conference. Would you give permission for the curriculum to be used in this way? It would be 6 sessions over a long weekend for children 0-2. Thank you for your consideration.

    Reply
  2. Jessica avatar
    Jessica

    Thank you so much for creating this curriculum! We’ve been using it in our local church with much success. Our teachers and children look forward to these hands-on lessons every Sunday. Our congregation is Hispanic and most members speak only Spanish so I’ve translated some of the lessons to fit our needs. Thank you again!

    Reply
    1. Mary avatar
      Mary

      Hi Jessica. I’m so happy to hear that the material is working well for you in your local church.

      I’m also glad to hear that you are translating. It is my dream to have the entire website translated into Spanish.

      Reply
  3. Wendy Beck avatar
    Wendy Beck

    The format of this curriculum is exactly what we need in our toddler/preschool classroom. It is easy to follow and teach. God is calling our family to leave our home church, and go help a small church grow. One of the first things I noticed is that there is no structure and the curriculum is pulled from different resources; making planning ahead of time chaotic. Is there a 12 month curriculum?
    Thank you!

    Reply
    1. Mary avatar
      Mary

      Hi Wendy
      Thanks for the feedback. I hope things go well in your new work. On the website there are 3 lesson sets for infants and toddlers and then there are 170 Bible Story lessons for 3 and up. You could easily do the infant and toddler lessons over a year and use the other ones for preschoolers who are a bit older.

      Here is the page for the 170 lessons.
      https://missionbibleclass.org/how-to-plan-a-bible-class/bible-stories-and-suggested-themes/
      If you covered one per week it would take a few years to go through them.

      Here is the infant and toddler curriculum page.
      https://missionbibleclass.org/understanding-age-groups/infants-and-toddlers-0-2-year-olds/lessons-for-ages-0-3/
      I’m going to paste below something I wrote awhile back to someone who had the same question as you about infants and toddlers.

      God bless you in your teaching! Mary

      _____________________________________________

      “When I wrote this series my goal was to slow things down. I wanted the teacher and the child to take a gentle approach and savor the sensory experiences that infants and toddlers enjoy. My expectation was that each lesson would be taught at least twice. Infants and toddlers love repetition so I didn’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 at least twice)
      Term 2: God With Me (6 lessons- each taught at least twice)
      Term 3: God Created (repeat as we did Term 1)
      Term 4: My Friend Jesus (6 lessons- each taught at least twice)

      Our teachers love teaching the Creation series and the children look forward to it. That’s why we don’t mind doing it twice.

      Eventually, when I finish the Noah series we will probably begin using that in Term 3.”

      Reply
      1. Wendy Beck avatar
        Wendy Beck

        Thank you so very much. We are a really small church and this is perfect for our little ones. God bless you and again…thank you so much.