The Great Jelly Bean Test
Remember the legendary Marshmallow Test? Where kids had to resist a marshmallow for 15 minutes to get a bigger reward? Swap marshmallows with jelly beans, and you’ve got a practical, Bible-backed approach to teaching pre-schoolers self-control. It’s not just about the wait; it’s about understanding the value of patience and reward. Proverbs 25:28 says, ‘Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.’ Pretty much sums it up, right?
Use a transparent jar of jelly beans as a visual aid. Every time patience wins, a jelly bean goes into their personal ‘patience jar.’ Over time, they learn that self-control is sweet—literally.
Temper Tantrums Be Gone!
Ah, the temper tantrum phase. Been there, seen that, got the t-shirt. Ephesians 4:26 advises, ‘In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.‘ But explaining this to a toddler mid-meltdown is about as effective as a chocolate teapot.
Here’s a trick: create a ‘calm down corner‘ equipped with a comfy pillow, a few calm-inducing toys, and a picture book of Bible stories focused on peace and calmness. It transforms ‘time-out‘ into ‘time-with-God‘—minus the timeout stigma.
Remember, patience and creativity go a long way in handling those challenging moments with your little ones.
Sharing is Caring
Remember when you discovered your toddler thought ‘sharing‘ was a one-way street? Classic! But Acts 20:35 teaches, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ To bring this home, involve them in packing extra snacks for friends or a gift for a sibling. It adds an action to the words, making the concept of sharing a hands-on experience. Introducing a sticker chart for sharing acts can help too. Each sticker represents a Bible verse about kindness and sharing, making it a rewarding experience.
Patience is a Virtue
Patience is not just a virtue; it’s a skill—one that even adults struggle with. Case in point: the checkout line at any store, ever. But imagine James 1:19 in these situations: ‘Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.’
For kids, a ‘patience clock’ works wonders. It’s a simple, visual countdown they can watch when waiting for their turn or when mom is on a phone call. It subtly teaches them that all good things—and attention—come to those who wait.
Listening Ears On
Is it just me, or does ‘Did you hear what I just said?’ become a rhetorical question in a house with kids? Luke 11:28 brings a fresh perspective: ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.’ To encourage active listening, turn it into a game. After reading a Bible verse, ask them to play ‘echo’—repeating the verse back to you. It makes listening fun and emphasizes obedience in a light-hearted way. Plus, you get to see their adorable concentration faces.
The Power of ‘Please’ and ‘Thank You’
‘Please’ and ‘thank you’ are more than just good manners; they’re the foundation of gratitude. Luke 17:15-16 shows the importance of giving thanks: ‘One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.’
Create a ‘gratitude tree’ with leaves that name things they’re thankful for. Adding ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ rocks to a jar each time they use those words reinforces their value and visually demonstrates gratitude.
