Mommy Teach Me:: Other Resources

Spiritual Development

A picture says
a thousand words.

Barbara sitting in a huge chair

The first idea that the child must acquire in order to be actively disciplined is that of the difference between good and evil. Maria Montessori

For parents who didn't grow up in a home where God was an intrinsic part of every aspect of life, and for parents like me who didn't grow up with any faith at all, it may not come naturally to pass on your faith to your children. But it can be done, and it can be done well.

I became a Christian in 1987 when I had only five children (only five!). Now, 20 years and seven more children later, I can say that a spiritual foundation based on God and his gift of relationship with us has made all the difference in my parenting.

As in all other aspects of the child's development, the most important thing is to start early!

	The Story of Jesus for Children The original Jesus Film is the the most viewed video of all time. Staged in the Holy Land, it follows the gospel of Luke. It is my favorite movie about the life of Jesus. This children's version was not only shortened from 187 to 67 minutes, the entire story is seen from the children's point of view - and told through their words and feelings. Since it is tailored for children, it delivers the Christian message without the harsh images found in other movies.
	How I led my child to Christ - Inspirational stores from real parents
	Sleep Sound in Jesus A nurse gave this to me when Jonny was recovering from his first surgery right after he was born in 1992. I had never known the kind of exhaustion that comes from having a child and not being able to bring him home, nor the anguish of not knowing if he would pull through his difficulties. I would lay my head beside Jonny's fragile body with all the tubes running in and out and the beeping monitors and I'd play that tape and sing along with Michael Card. It was as though I was being sung to and reassured as well. This wonderful tape has so many special songs. In 13 years, I've never grown bored with them. My favorites are "Even the Darkness is Light to Him" and "For He Grants Sleep to the One that He Loves." You can hear little snippets of them at amazon. I recommend it to every family, even if your children are beyond the baby years. It will remind you how special your children are to you and how special all his children are to our Heavenly Father.
	Hymns for a Kid's Heart - Volume Two One of the best gifts you can give your children - passing on the rich heritage of classic hymns in a context they can embrace: child-friendly stories of the origin and meaning of each hymn, with tales of the composers' own childhoods - plus a CD with crystal-clear kids' voices singing against an orchestral background. So much intelligence and love went into this project - it is absolutely perfect for children. Sure to enrich your family life and legacy!
	Hymns for a Kid's Heart One of the best gifts you can give your children - passing on the rich heritage of classic hymns in a context they can embrace: child-friendly stories of the origin and meaning of each hymn, with tales of the composers' own childhoods - plus a CD with crystal-clear kids' voices singing against an orchestral background. So much intelligence and love went into this project - it is absolutely perfect for children. Sure to enrich your family life and legacy!
	Read Aloud Bible Stories This first of four large volumes with bold full-page illustrations on one side, simple text on the other - all with a lot of kid appeal. One unusual feature is that Jesus's face is never seen, thus avoiding some of the stereotypes and allowing room for children's imagination. Bible stories retold with rhythm, repetition, and loads of enthusiasm: e.g., when the apostles fish where Jesus tells them: "Big fish/ little fish/ wiggly fish/ Oh my!"
	Toddler's Bible Straight through the Bible, toddler-style. The author's ability to translate complex stories into a few simple sentences is sure to delight. Read this during the toddler years, and before you know it, your toddler will be reading it back to you.
	Children ’s Story Bible Highly recommended!
	Read-N-Grow Picture Bible Two thousand pictures (six per page, with a sentence or two under each) will take your child through the Bible from start to finish. My children have loved this motivational format, which reinforced reading skills as well as the the historical continuity of the Bible.
	St. Jerome and the Lion Jerome, the medieval monk who lived in Bethlehem and translated the Bible into Latin, earns the devotion of a lion by removing a thorn from his paw. When the monastery ’s donkey is stolen, the other monks accuse the lion of having eaten it, but only Jerome refuses to condemn him, and is proven right. (No cover image available, but illustrations are superb.) 5-10
	Betty Lukens Bible Flannelboard set

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