Toddler Friendly Nativity Scene

Last year was Jonathan's first Christmas. We were in the midst of moving back to Chicago, so we didn't decorate or do very much to celebrate. The only thing I did was display my Willow Tree nativity set. This year, I'm so excited to be able to decorate- especially since Jonathan's a bit older and will be able to understand a little more of what's going on around him.

Last year, I spotted this Fisher Price Little People Nativity set and I knew I wanted it for Jonathan. I love my Willow Tree set, but I believe it's important for children to have a nativity set they can play with and manipulate. We had the Little People Noah's Ark set, and I knew the nativity would be perfect for a toddler to handle.

This year I was delighted to receive it from a dear friend shortly after Grace's birth. We pulled it out yesterday and Jonathan loved it.  I used the people to reenact the Bible story and then I let him play with the figures as he wished. We repeated the story again today. His favorite part is pressing the button to hear "Away in a Manger"! I'm ordering the three wise men set for him as well.

Playing with his nativity

He likes it!

Advent

Yesterday was the official beginning of Advent. Many Protestant churches do not emphasize Advent, but I love this time of year! I grew up going to Catholic schools where Advent was celebrated and it always seemed like a magical time of the year. Now, as an adult, I've come to appreciate the meaning behind Advent. 

Objectively, advent remembers Israel's longing for the Messiah. The prophets had foretold a Messiah would come to deliver Israel, and Israel was hopefully waiting for the Messiah to come. 

But for us, as Christians, it also should inspire longing in our lives. Longing for Christ to come anew into our busy lives. In the midst of a busy season full of Christmas preparations, advent calls us to reflect. It's a time to prepare spiritually to celebrate His coming. It is also a time to reflect on the expectation that at the end of history, Jesus will rescue the world and establish His kingdom in the new heavens and the new earth. We, like Israel, are waiting for the Messiah to come. 

There's a lot of meaning to this season. And I want to share and create traditions for my children. Right now, they are to young to fully understand the significance of Advent and Christmas. But I can be planting seeds. 

Here are some more Advent articles, if you are interested in learning more about this season:

What Every Christian should Know about Advent Season

Five Reasons You Should Celebrate Advent

Thanksgiving Recap

The last couple weeks were very full for our family. Unexpectedly, I had some (minor) outpatient surgery on my hand that left me unable to type. Then we traveled down to central Illinois to spend a week with my husband's family. Grace got to meet some of her relatives for the first time!

Anyways, we continued to do activities about Baby Moses, which I hope to share in a later post... I'm still pretty new to this blogging thing.

Teaching Character Concepts to Preschoolers

As I shared in a previous blog post, I've been trying to think through how to teach my children about the Lord. I love working with Jonathan and teaching him about shapes, colors, numbers, and letters. But ultimately, the most important thing I can teach him is about God. Related to that is trying to build up his character so that he reflects the God who made him.

Charlotte Mason wrote that a child's home life impacts his or her character and future more than any other influence. Therefore, it's important that we consider our children's strengths and weaknesses and try to help them develop godly character traits. But how do we do this?

Over at Sarah Mae's blog, she's hosting a giveaway of a spectacular looking resource- Character Concepts for Preschoolers. It looks like something I could even simplify for my toddler. Head on over and enter the giveaway!

Peek A Boo!

Peek-a-Boo is a classic game to play with babies. Even the littlest babies can enjoy peek-a-boo. Jonathan (22 months) enjoys playing with his little sister (3 months).

Source: Flickr

Just in case you're not familiar with Peek-a-Boo- you basically cover your eyes  while your child is looking at you and then uncover them and say "Peek-a-boo!" As your child grows older, he or she can play along with you!

Variations:
One way we play is by asking "Where's Mommy? Peek-a-boo!" This gets me grins from Grace.

You can also play with a translucent scarf- cover your face with the scarf and then remove it quickly and say "Peek-a-boo!" Sometimes I use the scarf to tickle Gracie (or Jonathan).

We've recently enjoyed playing Peekaboo along to a track on the album BabyFace. You can hear a sample of the song here.

Another favorite is playing Peek-a-boo with these words:

Peek-a-boo
Peek-a-boo
God above...


Peek-a-boo
Peek-a-boo
Gives us love!


Peek-a-boo
Peek-a-boo
I love you!


Peek-a-boo
Peek-a-boo
God does, too!


From Playtime Devotions by Focus on the Family

Do you have any Peekaboo games you like to play?

Baby Moses- Books

Here are some of the books we're reading as part of our Baby Moses lesson:

The Baby in the Basket by Jennifer Rees Larcombe

This is a simple retelling of the Bible story that is meant for preschool children. The text makes it a very fun read-aloud that toddlers will also enjoy. I like how this book emphasizes God's plan for His people and even includes questions to discuss the book with your children (they would work best for preschool and up).

Find this book in a library
Purchase through Amazon:


Moses in the Bulrushes by Heather Amery

This Usborne Bible tell book is another book that we've enjoyed. This is another retelling aimed at preschoolers, yet is simple enough that a toddler would enjoy. We enjoy the pictures in this book a little more, but this book does not mention God in the story, which is a major oversight.

Find this book in a library
Purchase through Amazon:


These are the best books that I've found to read aloud to toddlers. We checked out a few other Baby Moses books from our library, but these two stood out the most. Enjoy!

Baby Moses- Songs

I found a couple of songs online to go with our Baby Moses lesson.

Itty Bitty Moses

by Len

sing to the tune of "the Itsy Bitsy Spider"

Itty bitty Moses was crying in his room,
Then came his mommy and sang a little tune.
"Hush little baby, the Lord will be your guide,
And no one will ever harm you,
for God is by your side."


Into a tiny basket, the baby Moses went,
Placed into the Nile, and to the palace sent.
"Hush little baby, the Lord will be your guide,
And no one will ever harm you,
for God is by your side."

Lovely Pharaoh's daughter saw Moses in the Nile,
Picked him up and loved him, raised him as her child.
"Hush little baby, the Lord will be your guide,
And no one will ever harm you,
for God is by your side."

Baby Moses He is Born

by Rebecca Strickland 

sing to the tune of London Bridge

Baby Moses, He is born

He is born, He is born

Baby Moses, He is born

Hurry, hide him!

Mama makes a basket bed,

basket bed, basket bed

Mama makes a basket bed

Hurry, hide him!

Moses floating in the Nile, 

In the Nile, in the Nile

Moses floating in the Nile

Miriam is watching

Moses in the bulrushes

bulrushes, bulrushes

Moses in the bulrushes

Miriam is watching

Pharaoh's daughter picks him up

picks him up, picks him up

Pharaoh's daughter picks him up,

God protected Moses. 

(modified by me)