New nursery program for 2- and 3-year-olds

Thanks to the work of Children’s Ministry Team member Jill Dent, we are now experimenting with a new program in our church nursery. Building on the safe and caring environment provided by our nursery staff person, Sara Nedeau, and her volunteer helper, David Meeter-Biggs, we have added some educational (and fun!) activities into the children’s time. Our purpose is to nurture the faith formation of our 2- and 3-year-olds through personal relationships based in trust, and with a simple introduction to Christian faith and practice.

Using the “Wee Wonders” curriculum specifically designed for this age group, Sara is leading the group in simple songs, abbreviated Bible stories and responsive play activities. The stories and activities align with our church’s core values of community, spirituality, inclusivity and love, and serve as a soft introduction to the concepts of church and God.\

The first week was a rousing success. The children participated in the “We Go To Church” module. They sang a song welcoming each child individually by name, listened to the story, and then, through some silly movements, practiced different ways we could to go to church (walking, skipping, hopping, flying like an airplane). We then colored a picture of a family going to church and the children had the chance to use blocks to make a church or use diverse family figures to pretend a family was going to church the way it was modeled in the short story.

Contact Jill Dent at [email protected] for more information or if you would like to serve as an additional volunteer some Sunday.