Much of child rearing is keeping the “down time” from becoming destructive and turning that time into something constructive. What do we want to pass down to our kids? We want to teach them the most important, life equipping information we can. We want to show them who the God of the Bible is. Everyday, every hour, children are learning. We cannot rely on the 1-2 hours per week at church, to show them about the most necessary lessons. Young children are concrete learners. Therefore, stories that actually happened (Bible stories,) are easy to understand and remember. When they see how God speaks and interacts with people, they see some of what he is like. They see that God is worthy of our trust. This time we have with our children, before they reach school age, is so valuable yet limited.
It has been said, a child remembers twenty-five percent of what they hear, fifty percent of what they see, and ninety percent of what they practice. However, parenting a preschool child does not provide ample alone time to plan lessons and activities for the kids. Therefore, it usually doesn’t get done. When the kids are arguing and whining, it is hard to come up with a good idea on the spot. By having it already planned, there is more chance of it happening.
Deuteronomy 6: 5-7
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road. When you lie down and when you get up.”