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Age & Stage
Age & Stage
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Are you curious about the ideal time to introduce your child to the teachings of the Bible? The answer is that it’s never too early to start.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Are you curious about the ideal time to introduce your child to concepts of spirituality and the teachings of the Bible? The answer is that it’s never too early to start. Research indicates that babies in the womb can hear, react to voices, and distinguish sounds.
They respond positively to soothing music and the familiar sound of their mother’s voice. Consider playing worship music for your unborn child and infants, and sing along with the lyrics. Share stories about the love of Jesus and emphasize how cherished they are by Him. Begin reading simple scriptures about God’s love aloud to them.
A child’s brain develops more rapidly from birth to age five than at any other time. This is why they can easily learn to speak multiple languages and read before they are old enough to attend school. Children learn about the world through their senses and object manipulation from birth to two years old.
Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development claims that learning comes from imitation, memory, and thought, moving from reflexes to thinking about and performing actions. Studies have shown that a toddler’s brain is 75 percent fully formed at age two. This is the perfect time to help them develop self-control and self-discipline. As they feel secure in your love and guidance, you can tell and show them how God loves them.
From ages two to five, children develop memory and imagination. They comprehend the meaning of symbols and understand the concepts of past and future. A child’s brain has jumped from 75 percent development at age two to 90 percent by age five. They now show empathy and sympathy, making it probable that they can also grasp biblical truths.
Read Bible stories to them about God-fearing heroes like David, the Shepherd boy who killed the giant and became a king; Daniel, whom God protected in the Lion’s den; and Noah, who built an ark to save his family and the animals.
These are crucial years for developing a child’s understanding of the world and God’s place in their lives. They are like little sponges, soaking up every drop of information. Spiritual growth takes place – or fails to take place – during these earliest years. We need to saturate them in the love and knowledge of God.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them.” (Matthew 19:14) He also said, “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Mark 10:15) Jesus was referring to infants and toddlers. The word babies comes from the Greek word brephos, which refers to children as young as eight days after birth.
The Psalms tell us the importance of our little ones: “Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.” (Psalm 8:2) “Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.” (Psalm 51:6)
Children love to repeat our words and actions. Speak biblical words and phrases during everyday routines and sing songs about Jesus. Talk about rich topics like the fruit of the Spirit at mealtimes. At bedtime, ask your little one what blessing they saw God give to them or someone else that day.
If your children are older and you have not yet consistently and purposefully taught them the ways of God – or perhaps you have just begun to learn that for yourself – be encouraged. With God, every day can be a new beginning. In His kingdom, it’s never too late. It’s always the right time to nurture a love for God in your children!
I once read a myth about a group of archeologists who found seeds buried for thousands of years in the tombs of the Egyptian pharaohs. The seeds showed no evidence of life whatsoever. But they grew into life-giving grain when planted under the right conditions.
Today is the perfect day to begin planting those seeds! You can start with something as simple as saying a prayer of thanks with and for your children. Psalm 113:3 says, “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.” Thank Him for your children, your home, His love, and the plans He has for your family. Ask your children what they are thankful for and praise God for that with them.
Deuteronomy 6:7 tells us to teach and instruct our children when we are at home, when we walk together along the road, when we lie down before we sleep, and when we start our day.
Our lives should model what we are teaching our children so it is real to them all day, every day.
It is never too early or too late to instill a lifelong love for God in your children.
Lee Ann Mancini is the author of Raising Kids to Follow Christ, Instilling a Lifelong Trust in God, founder of Raising Christian Kids, adjunct professor at South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary, and executive producer of the animated series Sea Kids on Right Now Media, Pure Flix, Answers.tv, Minno, and Yippee. Lee Ann is the mother of two adult children and lives with her husband in South Florida, where she passionately pursues her calling to help parents raise lifelong Christ-followers.
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