At City Impact Church Childcare, we understand the importance of instilling strong values and a love for God in our little ones. Our curriculum is built on four main foundations, each with specific goals that lead to meaningful learning outcomes. With time, guidance, and encouragement, our children become increasingly capable of achieving these outcomes.
One of our four foundations is Become more like Jesus. Teaching children about the qualities of Jesus – kindness, compassion, forgiveness, respect, and love – provides them with a strong foundation that will serve them throughout their lives. Through thoughtfully designed activities, we help children not only understand these teachings but also put them into practice. Here are some engaging activities that encourage children to become more like Jesus, fostering a nurturing environment rooted in faith and love:
1. Jesus’ Kindness Acts
Materials: Construction paper, markers, scissors and glue.
Instructions: Create a large poster titled “Acts of Kindness.” Each day, encourage children to perform acts of kindness (e.g., helping a friend, sharing toys). Write down these acts on paper hearts and glue them to the poster. Discuss how these acts reflect Jesus’ teachings and help children practice kindness regularly.
2. Parable Time
Materials: Children’s Bible, props for storytelling (puppets, costumes, etc.).
Instructions: Choose a parable that Jesus taught, such as The Good Samaritan or The Prodigal Son. Act out the parable with the children using props and discuss its moral lesson. Encourage children to think of ways they can apply the lesson in their own lives, fostering empathy, forgiveness, and understanding.
3. Prayer and Reflection Circle
Materials: Comfortable seating, quiet space.
Instructions: Create a regular time for a prayer and reflection circle. Teach children simple prayers and give them a chance to share their thoughts or pray for others. Discuss how Jesus often took time to pray and reflect, emphasizing the importance of spiritual growth and connection with God.
4. Jesus’ Love Cards
Materials: Cardstock, markers, stickers.
Instructions: Have children create cards with messages of love and encouragement. These can be distributed to classmates, teachers, or to family members. Explain how Jesus showed love to everyone and how they can spread His love through small acts of kindness.
By incorporating these activities, children will have numerous opportunities to practice embodying the qualities and teachings of Jesus in their daily lives, helping them grow spiritually and morally.
Biblical Curriculum Foundation Three – Become more like Jesus
Develop their relationship with God
1. Understanding that they can talk (pray) to God
2. Knowing that they can listen to God and experience that He talks to them
3. Experiencing that they can worship Him through singing
Understand that Jesus did everything God told Him to do
1. Knowing they can follow Jesus’ example by making right choices and listening to their parents, teachers and leaders.
Learn that the Bible teaches them the right things to do
1. Understanding that they can read or listen to His Word (the Bible/God’s special book)
2. Knowing that the Bible is the truth
3. Recognising that the Bible teaches them right from wrong
4. Knowing that God gave them the Bible so they can know more about Him
5. Experiencing that they can memorize scripture and know that it can help and encourage them in life
Learn the Fruits of the Spirit
1. Knowing that God wants them to show love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control
2. Understanding that God wants them to do, say and think good things
Can believe in God for miracles
1. Learning to have faith to expect the impossible
2. Recognising that the Bible is not just stories, but that what God has done in the past, He can also do today!
Our Curriculum Foundations
In addition to Becoming more like Jesus, our curriculum includes:
1. Believing in God: Helping children develop a strong and personal faith in God.
2. Belonging to Gods family: Helping Children Understand Their Place in God’s Loving Community
3. Building God’s Kingdom: Inspiring children to actively contribute to and participate in their community and the wider world, reflecting God’s love and compassion.
By integrating these foundations into our daily activities, we aim to nurture a deep, enduring faith and a strong sense of belonging in each child. At City Impact Church Childcare, every lesson and interaction are designed to support the spiritual growth and development of our little ones, helping them to understand their place in God’s family and the larger world.