On the way to Easter paper plate pictures that help to tell the story of the first Easter. In the Gospels Jesus meets several people when he is on his last journey to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover for the final time. So four of our stories are about the people that met Jesus as… Continue reading On the way to Easter…paper plate pictures
Category: Toddler Group
The Big Tower up to Heaven
The Big Tower up to Heaven story comes from Genesis 11. This is part of our Story Series 'What's in God's Big Book?' We started by making a Big Book and then each week we take out a page for our story. So far we have done God made everything , First sad day, and Noah… Continue reading The Big Tower up to Heaven
Noah built the Ark
'Noah Built an Ark' is the third story in our 'What's in God's Big Book?' series that we have used with under 5's. We began by making a big book that could be used to hold each page. Take a look here. It is really oversized - you could get away with making a smaller… Continue reading Noah built the Ark
Easy to make finger paint
Easy to make finger paint that uses three ingredients (and one of them is water!) I spent quite a while searching on line for ready made finger paints but was put off by some of the reviews. I really don't want children breaking out in a rash because of allergies. The best thing about making… Continue reading Easy to make finger paint
Let’s make crowns to decorate!
These crowns are made from a dough that has three ingredients - and one of them is cold water! It's air drying so you need to make it a few days before you want to decorate the shapes. If you are celebrating The Coronation Twinkl has some great ideas and resources here with lots of… Continue reading Let’s make crowns to decorate!
W is for Water from the Rock
The People of God were in the wilderness. They had escaped from Egypt but were thirsty. They moaned! God told Moses to strike the rock and out came water. The story is from Exodus 17:1-7 W is for Water from the Rock - story idea Have you ever felt hungry? God's people had been hungry… Continue reading W is for Water from the Rock
Getting Started in Bible Storytelling!
Getting started in Bible Storytelling in a Toddler Group is sometimes daunting! It isn't just that there are toddlers that we want to keep engaged but their adults are there too. This short course is to help you feel more confident and be well prepared. It can work as a refresher course too. There are… Continue reading Getting Started in Bible Storytelling!
Make a ‘Thank you God’ book
Make a 'Thank you God' book to share with toddlers; a great way to teach children about how wonderfully made they are. We used our 'Thank you God' book over several weeks at toddler group. Each week we had an activity to tie in with the theme and sang songs that were connected. Make a… Continue reading Make a ‘Thank you God’ book
Stortelling tip #27
storytelling tip#27 is ... Tell it like you mean it Tell your Bible Story with conviction. These are the best stories and we have the privilege of sharing them. Tell them in such a way that your listeners know that the Bible is important to you. Tell them in such a way that your listeners… Continue reading Stortelling tip #27
Storytelling tip #26
Some details add to your story Young children are focused on their world. They know about feeling hungry, tired, happy, sad. They know about home. They know what daytime and nightime are. The weather is part of their everyday. Use these familiar things when you tell the Bible Story. If it happened at night mention… Continue reading Storytelling tip #26
Storytelling tip #25
Be clear When telling the Bible Story use words that everyone understands. Don't clutter your story with terminology that you won't have time to explain. Tell everyone that Zacchaeus was short but leave out his job. You don't have time to explain to toddlers what tax is.
Storytelling tip #24
Use your voice You can talk quietly, you can whisper, you can talk LOUDLY. (Don't shout). Vary your volume. It will make the story sound more interesting. Don't talk too quickly - we sometimes speed up when we are nervous. Try to use a friendly, calm tone. If you aren't sure how you sound, record… Continue reading Storytelling tip #24
Stoytelling tip #23
Keep your adult listeners busy When telling a Bible Story to toddlers it helps to keep their adults involved. Encourage everyone to join in with a variety of actions to do, phrases to repeat, sounds to make.
Storytelling tip #21
Add some sound What sound does a .... make? This is a great question to ask during a Bible Story. It gets the toddlers thinking and they can all join in and make the noise. If it's a story about sheep everyone can say baa. If it's a pig in the story, it's an oink.… Continue reading Storytelling tip #21
Storytelling tip #19
Keep it short Do your best to keep the story short. Toddlers aren't going to listen to a long story. Practice your story - time yourself. Aim for your story to feel short to the listeners. It shouldn't drag or go on and on...
Storytelling tip #18
Be prepared for Christmas! Invite your pastor or a staff member from your church to come to toddler group to tell the Christmas Story. It's an opportunity for them to meet people at the group. And it gives you time to think about the special craft and festive food that you will probably be busy… Continue reading Storytelling tip #18
Storytelling tip #17
Share the load If you can, share the telling of Bible stories with others. We can learn from each other. Be supportive of one another and offer encouragement. It's sometimes really helpful to have an extra pair of hands to hold a storytelling prop; ask for help from others in the team.
Storytelling tip #16
Begin storytime with a song Instead of announcing storytime with, 'It's storytime', start with a song. It will become your theme song that tells everyone that it's time for a story. Choose something simple and easy to join in with. Familiar tunes with your own words are great. Once you have your song stick with… Continue reading Storytelling tip #16
Storytelling tip #15
Involve others Ask for help in collecting items for storytelling props and craft resources. Involve people in your church. Explain what you need and give people the opportunity to join in by collecting cardboard tubes, christmas cards etc. Use your churches' notice sheet to make the needs known and share pictures of the made crafts… Continue reading Storytelling tip #15
Storytelling tip #14
Collect craft ideas for your planned Bible stories Keep your eyes open for craft ideas that fit in with the Bible Stories you are planning to tell. Pinterest is full of ideas that can be used or adapted. There are even some on this blog 🙂 Ideas can come from anywhere! Try out any ideas… Continue reading Storytelling tip #14
Storytelling tip #13
Plan your stories for the year Plan ahead. Look at term dates (use your local school dates) and work out your timetable. Note down any special dates you want to celebrate - Harvest, Christmas, Easter, summer party. Plan your stories for the year ahead. Start with a theme for each half term. Some ideas -… Continue reading Storytelling tip #13
Storytelling tip #11
Knit some storytelling characters Knitted toys are some of the best storytelling props you can have. If you can't knit find someone who can. Acrylic yarn is inexpensive and comes in lots of colours. You don't need loads of knitted toys - just a few men and woman with different hair (some grey for older… Continue reading Storytelling tip #11
Storytelling tip #9
Sort out storage for your storytelling items If you can, store your storytelling props in a box. Take a photo of each item and stick it to the outside of the box. You will be able to see at a glance what you have. This should save you time! No more hunting high and low… Continue reading Storytelling tip #9
Storytelling tip #8
Collect items that you can use in storytelling. Taking items from a story bag is great for keeping attention. Props help understanding. Build a collection of items you can use. Blue cloth for sea or sky, toy tools (lots of stories about building), toy animals (creation), a tent to transform into a big fish, a… Continue reading Storytelling tip #8
Storytelling tip #7
Buy or make a story bag that you will love using Taking items out of a storybag during a story builds interest. Use a bag that's large enough and attractive for the children and easy for you to use. No plastic bags!
Storytelling tip #6
Practice what you are going to say Tell your story to yourself. Practice it. Practice using any puppets or props. Get a feel for how it sounds. Don't aim for knowing it word for word - you want to know how the story goes and be so comfortable with it that the telling is fresh… Continue reading Storytelling tip #6
Storytelling tip #5
Use the Bible - not your memory When preparing a Bible story rely on the Bible rather than your memory. Read the story a few times. Get it into your head. Read it out aloud. Sometimes we think we know a Bible story but we've forgotten somthing or added something. So, start with the Bible.
Storytelling tip #4
Know how you are going to finish your story Every story needs to reach a satisfying conclusion. It needs to end in way that is clear. Any problems in the story need to be solved. Zaccheus met Jesus! Jonah went to the town of Ninevah. The Wise men found Jesus. Think through how your story… Continue reading Storytelling tip #4
Storytelling tip #3
Know how you are going to begin Facing an audience can be nerve wracking. To avoid going blank be really sure of your opening sentence. Learn it. Write it down and have a last minute look at it just before you begin. Some ideas - 'There was once a...' 'A long time ago...' Say hello… Continue reading Storytelling tip #3
Storytelling tip #2
Make yourself heard There's no need to shout a story at people but they do need to be able to hear you tell the story. Be close enough to your audience so that they can hear you. If you can, use a PA system. A mic will enable everyone to hear you even if you… Continue reading Storytelling tip #2
Storytelling tip #1
Make sure everyone can see you It's much easier to listen to the story when you can see the storyteller. Think about where the chairs are placed. If everyone is sitting on the floor kneel or sit on a low chair when you tell the story. You want to be a little higher than the… Continue reading Storytelling tip #1
Palm Sunday Story Video
Palm Sunday Story Video is a short retelling of Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem. You can read the story in John 12:12-19 https://videopress.com/v/2cM5pVQR?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata I made this video for toddler group. You are very welcome to use it 🙂 Here's a link to a post with a Palm Sunday Story idea and some palm leaf crafts to… Continue reading Palm Sunday Story Video
On the Way to Easter…Palm Sunday Story
Jesus rides into Jerusalem
On the way to Easter…paper plate pictures
On the way to Easter paper plate pictures that help to tell the story of the first Easter. Next half term at Thursday toddler group we will be travelling along the road to Easter. In the Gospels Jesus meets several people when he is on this last journey to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover for… Continue reading On the way to Easter…paper plate pictures
God made the stars spiral
This is exactly the same basic idea as the blossom spiral that I posted about here https://lettheirlightshine.com/2020/02/20/spring-is-coming/ Instead of blossom I've used tissue paper for the sky - you could use anything blue including paint or crayon. But the lovely thing about tissue paper is that I've made the strips long so they hang down… Continue reading God made the stars spiral
Happy New Year!
After the Christmas break I like to get back into toddler group crafts in a fairly simple and straight forward way - so, we will be making calendars this week. It's a good way to use up bits and bobs of craft materials that are left over from last year and to make use of… Continue reading Happy New Year!
Shepherd craft
Luke tells us that shepherds were told that the Saviour had been born! 'For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord' Luke 2:11 So here are some shepherds to make ... using paper plates All you need to make these shepherds - paper plates,pipe… Continue reading Shepherd craft
Another angel! or two…
A whole paper plate - cut out a triangle and use as the body. Add ribbon so this angel can be used as a Christmas dec How lovely is this! Got to love that face. ice cream pot angel - with a sparkly halo! half a paper plate folded in three - a tree topper… Continue reading Another angel! or two…
Angel!
There are lots of Bible stories that include angels so this craft isn't just for Christmas! But obviously we often make angel crafts at Christmas so here is a paper plate angel that stands up and could be used as a tree topper. All you need - paper plates (cheap and quite thin as you… Continue reading Angel!
Noah in the Ark – a weather themed story
There is a page of mini arks all ready for downloading and printing here Basic Noah's Ark (x 8) We did this craft a couple of weeks ago when we were doing Bible Stories on the theme of weather. We used tissue paper, crepe paper, cellophane wrap, cotton wool and paper clouds.
Group craft to make!
Group craft to make! offers an alternative to having everyone make something to take home. Some things really lend themselves to a big group make. For example you can draw a large Goliath to decorate with collage material, make the Tower of Babel either build the tower with cardboard boxes or create a 2D version… Continue reading Group craft to make!
Let’s Share Bible Stories with Toddlers
“Hello friends, hello friends. How are you, how are you? It’s time for a story, time for a story. Come and listen, come and listen.” We sing this song to the tune of ‘Frere Jacques’ every week at toddler group. We gather round the story chair in a semi - circle; some sit on the… Continue reading Let’s Share Bible Stories with Toddlers
Lydia hears about Jesus
Lydia hears about Jesus when Paul and Silas visit the town of Philippi where she lived. The story of Lydia is from Acts 16:11-15. Here are Lydia (with her purple cloth) and Paul and Silas. Lydia hears about Jesus Bible Story Bible Truth for toddlers - Jesus is for everyone Say hello to Paul and… Continue reading Lydia hears about Jesus
Thank you God for family and friends
To make - sugar paper, tissue paper, cut up petit four cases, heart shapes, wool, crayons, glue, people shapes (bought from Amazon - girl shapes and boy shapes) These can be cut into individual people. Let the children choose how many people to add to their family and friends picture.
Mary and Martha
Mary and Martha are two grown up sisters that we meet in Luke 10:38-42 . They live in Bethany. They are mentioned three times in the Life of Jesus. You can also read about them in John 11 - when their brother Lazarus is bought back to life - and in John 12 - when… Continue reading Mary and Martha