When I was a Children’s Pastor I was in charge of ministering to all kids birth through 8th grade (I’ll let that sink in a little…). We were at a brand new church and were planning all the curriculum and structures of the services. And doing so on minimal budget and with few volunteers.
Regardless, I was adamant that our babies and toddlers would have a lesson in their class. I did not want our babies to spend their first days in church without hearing about God! So, I found an amazing curriculum that involved songs, fingerplays, parachute play and puppets but all fit into a small bag! One fun mom could slip out of the adult service and spend 10 minutes in the nursery singing with the kids and using the props out of the bag. It was fantastic!
Recently, my mom gave Asa and me a gift that is the exact same idea as the curriculum but for kids’ bedtime! I’ve only done it about 4 or 5 days but already Asa loves it! In fact, he loves it so much he cries when I’m done singing!
It’s called Baby Bedtime Blessings from First Steps in Worship* and everything you need comes in a medium sized bag. There is a little handheld mirror, a brush, a Bible story book, an stuffed dog toy, a rubber duck, a plastic fish, plastic flower and a blanket.
There is also a little spiral bound book with about 3 songs per prop/toy. The songs are just original words to classic songs like “I’m a Little Teapot” and “Farmer in the Dell”. All you have to do is pick up the book, find the prop needed and start singing the songs. Just follow along in the book and in 15 minutes you’ll have gone through all the props and finished with a lullabye and prayer!
Here are a few pictures of Asa and me before bed last night. I don’t usually post this many pictures but I want you to see how well he is responding to this. He LOVES it! He even knows which toy is coming up next and puts the toy he’s holding back in the bag so he can take the next toy!
Singing the first songs with a mirror. The songs focus on how God knows and loves the child.
Asa brushing my hair during the “brush brush brush your hair” song.
“I love to read the Bible, read the Bible, read it everyday…” to the tune of “I’ve Got the Joy…”
“God made duckies, quack, quack, quack” to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”. This is his fave!
Asa hugging and kissing the baby. The songs are about God, Mommy and Daddy loving the child.
Asa folding his hands and closing his eyes during the last song & prayer!!
I completely recommend this resource! It’s easy, fun and Asa loves it! Included in the bag is a demo video and a list of scriptures to go with each song. As Asa pays attention more (and I memorize the songs), I’ll be able to say some of these scriptures to him.
If you didn’t want to invest in this whole kit, you could do the same thing on your own. Just grab a bag, a few props and sing some songs—sing “Jesus loves me” while looking in a mirror, “The B-I-B-L-E” while holding a Bible, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” while holding a mini globe ball or whatever else you could think up! (I found a huge list of Christian kids’ songs and lyrics to get your brain going.) It’s such a fun bedtime routine and a great way to get God’s Word into your kids!
*First Steps in Worship also carries nursery/preschool/children’s church “curriculum” bags but I have not used these…but they might be worth checking out if you are involved in your church’s nursery department.
