toddler group Archives - Page 3 of 3 - Let their light shine!

Storytelling tip #15

August 16, 2021August 2, 2021 Rachel Ball No Comments

Bible storytelling, Storytelling tip, Storytelling tips, Telling Bible Stories to Toddlers, Toddler Group

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 … Read More “Storytelling tip #15” »

Storytelling tip #14

August 15, 2021August 2, 2021 Rachel Ball No Comments

Bible storytelling, Storytelling tip, Storytelling tips, Telling Bible Stories to Toddlers, Toddler Group

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 … Read More “Storytelling tip #14” »

Storytelling tip #13

August 14, 2021August 2, 2021 Rachel Ball No Comments

Bible storytelling, Storytelling tip, Storytelling tips, Telling Bible Stories to Toddlers, Toddler Group

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 – … Read More “Storytelling tip #13” »

Storytelling tip #11

August 12, 2021August 12, 2021 Rachel Ball No Comments

Bible storytelling, Storytelling tip, Storytelling tips, Telling Bible Stories to Toddlers, Toddler Group

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 … Read More “Storytelling tip #11” »

Storytelling tip #10

August 11, 2021August 2, 2021 Rachel Ball No Comments

Bible storytelling, Storytelling tip, Storytelling tips, Telling Bible Stories to Toddlers

Start a file of your storytelling ideas Keeping a collection of ideas is great – if you have a few weeks and you don’t know what to do you have ideas to fall back on. Think of themes – homes Jesus visited, stories people told, things God made. Under these headings add specific stories, prop … Read More “Storytelling tip #10” »

Storytelling tip #9

August 10, 2021August 2, 2021 Rachel Ball No Comments

Storytelling tip, Storytelling tips, Telling Bible Stories to Toddlers, Toddler Group

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 … Read More “Storytelling tip #9” »

Storytelling tip #8

August 9, 2021August 2, 2021 Rachel Ball No Comments

Bible storytelling, Storytelling tip, Storytelling tips, Telling Bible Stories to Toddlers, Toddler Group

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 … Read More “Storytelling tip #8” »

Storytelling tip #7

August 8, 2021August 2, 2021 Rachel Ball No Comments

Bible story for toddlers, Bible storytelling, Storytelling tip, Storytelling tips, Toddler Group

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 #5

August 6, 2021August 2, 2021 Rachel Ball No Comments

Bible storytelling, Storytelling tip, Storytelling tips, Telling Bible Stories to Toddlers, Toddler Group

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 #3

August 4, 2021August 2, 2021 Rachel Ball No Comments

Storytelling tip, Storytelling tips, Toddler Group

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 … Read More “Storytelling tip #3” »

Storytelling tip #1

August 2, 2021 Rachel Ball No Comments

Bible storytelling, Storytelling tip, Storytelling tips, Toddler Group

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 … Read More “Storytelling tip #1” »

Shepherd craft

December 4, 2019June 29, 2020 Rachel Ball No Comments

All age craft, Christmas, Christmas characters, Christmas craft, Craft, Paper plate craft, Paper plate shepherds instructions,, Shepherd, Toddler craft, Toddler Group

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

Group craft to make!

October 2, 2019February 3, 2025 Rachel Ball No Comments

Craft, Craft Table, Group craft, Noah's Ark, Toddler craft, Toddler Group, Weather Bible stories

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 … Read More “Group craft to make!” »

Let’s Share Bible Stories with Toddlers

October 1, 2019June 29, 2020 Rachel Ball 2 Comments

Actions for storytelling, Bible, Bible storytelling, Props for storytelling, Telling Bible Stories to Toddlers, Toddler Group

“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 … Read More “Let’s Share Bible Stories with Toddlers” »

Baby Moses 3D craft

July 9, 2019February 20, 2025 Rachel Ball 1 Comment

Baby Moses craft, Craft, Moses, Moses hidden in a basket, Old Testament Bible stories, Toddler craft

Baby Moses 3D craft for young children. This is a lovely Baby Moses craft that is easy to make and very effective. It uses easy to find materials that take just a little bit of time to prepare. All you need for this Baby Moses 3D craft – Baby Moses Story (This story is based … Read More “Baby Moses 3D craft” »

Thank you God for family and friends

May 22, 2019June 29, 2020 Rachel Ball No Comments

Craft, Family and friends craft, Family craft idea, Thank you God for family and friends, Toddler craft, Toddler Group

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.

Jesus goes back to heaven

May 1, 2019April 27, 2026 Rachel Ball No Comments

Ascension, Bible, Bible story, Bible story for toddlers, Bible storytelling, Jesus goes back to heaven

The content narrates the ascension of Jesus after Easter, emphasizing that He lives forever and will return. It explains Jesus’ instructions for His followers to spread the Good News and includes details about visual aids used in storytelling. The narrative concludes with a promise of His eventual return as King.

Journey to Bethlehem – Adam and Eve disobey

November 14, 2018July 5, 2023 Rachel Ball 4 Comments

Adam and Eve, Bible, Bible story, Bible story for toddlers, Bible storytelling, Genesis 3, Journey to Bethlehem, Old Testament Bible stories, Paper plate craft, paper plate for storytelling, The Big Story, Toddler Group

Adam and Eve break God’s law

Toddler Group timings

September 12, 2018 Rachel Ball 2 Comments

Running a toddler group, Timetable for toddler group, Toddler Group

A friend has asked for some ideas on what happens when at toddler group. So here are a few examples. I go to three groups a week at the moment and each one is different. Mondays and Thursday we are in community halls and on Tuesday we are in a church. Monday group ( venue … Read More “Toddler Group timings” »

God gives us ..animals!

June 25, 2018June 25, 2018 Rachel Ball No Comments

God gives us animals, God gives us the beautiful world

This term we are thinking about the good things that God has given to us. The idea is borrowed from Christ Church Dunstable (big thank you to them!!). Each week we discover something that God has given to us. We aren’t exactly telling a story each week but are taking things from a story bag. … Read More “God gives us ..animals!” »

God gives us…

June 20, 2018June 22, 2018 Rachel Ball No Comments

Creation, God gives us family and friends, God gives us the beautiful world

It’s nearly summer! This term we are thinking about the things that our Good God has given to us. This idea is borrowed from a Toddler Group scheme from Christ Church Dunstable. Last week we thought about the world. We had a globe (that lit up!) and lots of pictures. All the pictures were freely … Read More “God gives us…” »

Easter at toddler group

March 29, 2018 Rachel Ball 3 Comments

Craft, Easter, Easter Garden for Toddlers, Easter with toddlers, Easter wreath decoration, Toddler craft, Toddler Group

Lovely crafts were made today ..

Q is for question

January 16, 2018May 10, 2023 Rachel Ball No Comments

Bible Alphabet, Craft, Jesus calms the storm, New Testament Bible Stories, Q is for Question

Q is for Question is part of our Bible Alphabet series. Starting at A we have told a Bible Story for each letter of the alphabet. It can be anything – a person, place or object – so long as the letter we are doing comes somewhere. Q was a bit tricky! There are names … Read More “Q is for question” »

Favourite books to share

November 14, 2017November 14, 2017 Rachel Ball 3 Comments

children's books

Do you have a cosy corner for sharing books? Does your toddler group have a special space for parents and children to read a book together? Last week I spotted a mum sitting in our comfy book corner with her son and baby daughter. They were surrounded by books and were, in her words, having … Read More “Favourite books to share” »

Jacob and the ladder

November 9, 2017 Rachel Ball No Comments

Bible storytelling, Craft, Jacob and the ladder, Old Testament Bible stories

Story – (I used the above pictures – found via google- as puppets) Jacob and Esau were brothers. In fact they were twins! Esau had been born first and then Jacob. They were very different to look at. They liked doing different things. Esau loved to be outside and to go hunting. Jacob liked to … Read More “Jacob and the ladder” »

Rhythms of Grace conference

October 16, 2017 Rachel Ball 3 Comments

Toddler craft, Toddler Group

On Saturday we drove to Wembley nice and early to go to a Toddler Group leaders conference. I was leading a couple of workshops about Crafts. It was a really good day. The Keynote speaker, Mary Hawes drew our attention to how toddler groups should be places of generosity, relationships, accessibility, community and encouragement. She … Read More “Rhythms of Grace conference” »

Noah’s ark

September 21, 2017January 19, 2022 Rachel Ball No Comments

Craft, Noah, Noah's Ark, Old Testament Bible stories, Paper plate craft, Toddler craft, Toddler Group

I really enjoyed putting this craft together and the children enjoyed making their own too – which is the main thing! There was a bit of prep – cutting an ark shape from a folded paper plate and tearing tissue paper into long strips. the ark ‘floats’ on the tissue paper water. The animal stickers … Read More “Noah’s ark” »

God made plants – story and craft ideas

July 6, 2017July 6, 2017 Rachel Ball 1 Comment

Creation, God made plants

I decided to focus on edible plants for this story time. In Genesis 1:11 it says ‘ And God said ‘Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed..’ I had a fennel plant to show to the children – they are very touchy feely plants! … Read More “God made plants – story and craft ideas” »

God made the land

June 5, 2017June 5, 2026 Rachel Ball 2 Comments

Creation, God made the land

We’ve been gradually going through all the things that God made using SU’s Tiddlywinks ‘The Big Green Book’ as a starting point. We aren’t sticking to a 1-7 day order here. But if you would like to do that then have a look at the creation plates in this post. We’ve learnt about God making … Read More “God made the land” »

Meet the gang! Knitted Bible people

February 8, 2017July 19, 2023 Rachel Ball 6 Comments

Knitted characters, Knitted doll for storytelling, Pattern for knitted people, Telling Bible Stories to Toddlers, Toddler Group

Meet the gang! Knitted Bible people! Say hello to my trusty Bible people. My mum knitted all of these from an Alan Dart pattern for a nativity Available from Amazon set. They are perfect for telling stories at Toddler Group. Although I don’t use them every week (as variety is good), I wouldn’t want to … Read More “Meet the gang! Knitted Bible people” »

Having Breakfast with Jesus

July 13, 2015April 22, 2024 Rachel Ball No Comments

Animals, Bible story, Bible story for toddlers, Boat in the lake craft, Craft, Fish craft, Fishing boat craft, Having breakfast with Jesus, Jesus makes breakfast by the sea, Paper plate craft

Having Breakfast with Jesus is a Bible Story from John’s Gospel. It took place after the resurrection of Jesus and before his ascension. Note – the Sea of Tiberias is another name for the Sea of Galilee. Having Breakfast with Jesus – Story Idea In the story bag I had Peter and some friends (there … Read More “Having Breakfast with Jesus” »

Christian Resources Exhibition

May 20, 2015 Rachel Ball 2 Comments

Bible storytelling, Christain resources Exhibition, Giveaway!, Go Teach Toddlers

The Christian Resources Exhibition is on at the Excel in East London. So this morning I took the train to go and have a look around. I’ve come home with a few goodies and some ideas! Now in case you aren’t able to go along I picked up some of the free books from The … Read More “Christian Resources Exhibition” »

Y is for the rich young man

March 3, 2015May 10, 2023 Rachel Ball No Comments

Actions for storytelling, Bible Alphabet, New Testament Bible Stories, Props for storytelling, Rich Young Man, Y is for the Rich Young Man

The story of the Rich Young Man (Mark 10:17-22) has a sad ending. He loves his money more than Jesus. With older children you could talk about things that get in the way of them following Jesus. You could also add a question mark symbol and talk more about why the young man asked the … Read More “Y is for the rich young man” »

Jairus’s daughter

February 27, 2015August 18, 2025 Rachel Ball No Comments

Bible, Bible story, Bible story for toddlers, Bible storytelling, homes Jesus visited, Houses Jesus visited, Jairus' daughter story, Jairus's daughter, Knitted characters

Jairus’s daughter is a story from Luke 8: 40-56 Meet Jairus! To tell the story I used some simple pictures. I introduced ‘Jairus’ first and asked the children to repeat his name and say hello. The pictures I used were a selection of symbols and a photo of a house that I made from a … Read More “Jairus’s daughter” »

Who’s in the story bag?

February 6, 2015March 3, 2015 Rachel Ball No Comments

Bible storytelling, Knitted characters, Props for storytelling, Toddler Group

I like to use a story bag at toddler group story time. I find it holds the interest of the children and adults better than a picture. My mum is a great knitter and made some Bible characters for me. If you are able to have a go at making some then the pattern is … Read More “Who’s in the story bag?” »

It’s cold! Let’s make Bobble hat and mittens craft

January 30, 2015January 6, 2025 Rachel Ball No Comments

Bobble hat and mittens craft, Craft, Pdf file, Printable, Seasons, Toddler craft, Toddler Group, Winter Craft, Winter hat and mittens craft

A bobble hat and mittens craft to celebrate the cold, wintry weather. There are two free printables for you to use. I printed the outlines of the bobble hat and the mittens onto paper but you could use card if you like. If you are using Pritt Stick the paper will be fine but if … Read More “It’s cold! Let’s make Bobble hat and mittens craft” »

Z is for Zacchaeus

May 14, 2014May 10, 2023 Rachel Ball 2 Comments

Bible Alphabet, Craft, New Testament Bible Stories, Toddler Group, Z is for Zacchaeus, Zacchaeus

I made this to use with under fives to tell the story of Zacchaeus. He moves up the tree which is great for keeping the young children interested. We are doing the story as part of our Bible Alphabet series. It’s from Luke 19:1-10. The tree is a Pringles container covered in brown construction paper … Read More “Z is for Zacchaeus” »

M is for Moses

March 24, 2014May 10, 2023 Rachel Ball 4 Comments

Bible Alphabet, Craft, M is for Moses, Moses, Moses hidden in a basket, Old Testament Bible stories, Salt dough, Toddler Group

M is for Moses is a story in our Bible Alphabet. The story of Moses being hidden in the basket is found in Exodus 2. It is a lovely story to tell to children as children take centre stage. I’ve included a craft idea too. Sometimes people point out that the Nile would have been … Read More “M is for Moses” »

L is for lost sheep

February 25, 2014May 10, 2023 Rachel Ball 1 Comment

Animals, Bible Alphabet, Craft, L is for Lost Sheep, Lost sheep, New Testament Bible Stories, Parable, Pdf file

L is for lost sheep – a parable that Jesus told (Luke 15:1-7) To tell the story to young children Very young children will probably benefit from using smaller numbers – maybe just up to ten with the number ten sheep missing. Before you begin hide a sheep but unless you have a small group … Read More “L is for lost sheep” »

K is for King David

February 6, 2014May 10, 2023 Rachel Ball 4 Comments

Bible Alphabet, K is for King David, Old Testament Bible stories, Toddler Group

K is for King David is a story in our Bible Alphabet series. We focus on David being anointed King by Samuel. The story is found in 1 Samuel 16. I used a story bag that contained a crown and pictures of Samuel, Jesse, the seven brothers and David. The pictures were based on the … Read More “K is for King David” »

J is for Jesus

December 11, 2013May 10, 2023 Rachel Ball No Comments

Bible Alphabet, Christmas, J is for Jesus, Toddler Group

J is for Jesus is part of the Bible Alphabet series. I decided on the annunciation story for the letter J because we were so close to Christmas. It followed on from ‘I is for Immanuel’ really well. The story is found in Lukes Gospel 1:26-33. To tell the story : Before you begin tell … Read More “J is for Jesus” »

I is for Immanuel

December 11, 2013May 13, 2026 Rachel Ball 1 Comment

Bible Alphabet, Christmas, Toddler Group

I is for Immanuel is part of our Bible Alphabet series of stories for young children’ I just couldn’t think of what to do for the letter i in our Bible alphabet series at toddler group. I looked through Young’s concordance and decided on Immanuel. It fitted so well as we are approaching Christmas. Bible … Read More “I is for Immanuel” »

a is for Adam

October 10, 2013August 20, 2025 Rachel Ball No Comments

a is for Adam, Bible Alphabet, Craft, Old Testament Bible stories, Toddler Group

A is for Adam! This is the start of our Bible Alphabet. We’ll have a Bible Story connected to each letter of the alphabet each story time for 26 weeks. There will be lots of variety as some letters will stand for people, others for places and some for jobs! This is a really fun … Read More “a is for Adam” »

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