Teaching a child a new concept can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? What should you say, and when? How can you keep their attention? Thankfully, it doesn't have to be complicated. Below, you'll find simple and practical resources to help you, play lessons, teach songs, sign language, encourage a love for reading, and more. Explore these FREE tips and videos to empower you as you guide your preschooler in learning and growing.
For learning to take place, three things must happen:
1. You must be prepared to teach.
2. The child must be prepared to learn.
3. You must know how to teach.
This page is all about making learning possible! Read or listen to the following information to help you prepare.
Yes... to be the best teacher you can be, God must be guiding your time. Just changing 1% of your day can truly transform how you prepare your heart to work with your children. Listen in as we explore what God offers and how small changes can make a big difference in your teaching experience.
If a child doesn’t feel safe, they won’t be able to learn. If they can’t obey, they won’t be able to learn. And if their heart isn’t teachable, learning becomes impossible. I recommend that a teacher spends 2-3 weeks on routines, obedience, and self-control before diving into academics.
In this video, I’ll share specific ideas and strategies to help your child sit quietly for age-appropriate amounts of time during lessons, reading sessions, or group activities like library or Sunday School. With these practical tips, you can create a focused and calm learning environment while helping your child develop attention and self-control skills.
Parents and teachers may unknowingly contribute to a child’s selfishness, which can make them unteachable. In this podcast episode, Heidi and Melanie explore how we unintentionally foster selfishness in kids and how we can seek wisdom from God's Word to change the outcome.
One liners or broken records are my absolute favorite way to prepare children for learning. These short, pre-scripted phrases, often called "broken records," have been key in shaping my children's behavior. What's even better is that other parents and educators have seen the same success with these simple expressions in their own homes and classrooms.
Once you've prepared yourself and your students for learning, the fun can begin! However, for true learning to happen, it's important to teach in a way that encourages it. Teaching goes beyond simply standing in front of children; it involves asking thoughtful questions, pointing out key details, and using purposeful play. Watch and read the following videos for a deeper understanding.
There are three steps in teaching something new: Introduce, Practice, Identify. Each step gives the child more ownership in the learning.
1. The child is introduced to the new concept.
"This is a triangle. It has three sides. It looks like a piece of pizza."
2. The child practices the learning at the lowest level of learning first.
"Point to the triangle."
3. The child proves that the concept is learned. Review is necessary for retention.
"What is this shape called?" (The child names triangular-shaped items as triangles.)
In the perfect world, this progression would occur within a week's time frame. But depending on the child's development and the concept being taught, it may take anywhere from a few moments to many weeks, months, or even years to learn a new concept. Always follow the child's cues as to when he/she is ready to move on to the next step.
For a concrete example, below is the 3 Year Curriculum Lesson Plan into the three-part process. Notice how the child's participation and ownership in the learning increases through the week. It is very important not to move to the next level of teaching until the child is ready. This means that you may stay on introduction or practice for many weeks or months until the is developmentally ready to move on to the next level.
Lesson plan steps -
1. Introduce the Objectives (Mondays) - This is a ______.
2. Practice the Learning (Wednesdays) - Show me the __________.
3. Identify that the Learning Has Occurred (Fridays) - Name this item.
Day 1 - Introduce Concepts
• Begin by introducing the Bible story, verse, song, poem - child is listening
• Introduce the new letter and number with rhymes and tactile letter/number tracing (This is the letter ___ and it makes the sound ____.)
• Child listens as you read the Book of the Week.
• Introduce the new colors or basic math (I am sorting the blocks into different colors.)
• Introduce the name activity
Day 2 - Practice the Learning
• Review Bible story, verse, song, poem - allow child to fill in key words
• Review new letter and number by tracing and doing an activity - (Point to the letter ____.)
• Review new color or basic math by doing an activity - (Which block is _____ in color?)
• Child listens as you read the Book of the Week and points to various objects in the illustrations.
• Do name activity
Day 3 - Identify that the Learning Has Occurred
• Review Bible story, verse, song, poem - encourage child to take active role in each aspect with assistance along the way
• Child identifies new letter and number by tracing and doing an activity - (What is this number? What sound does this letter make?)
• Child finishes repetitive lines and rhyming words.
• Child identifies new color or basic math by doing an activity - (What color is this block?)
• Do name activity
Throughout the week
• Do cooking activities, watch videos, read books, etc when time is appropriate
• Review all activities while in the car, bathtub, or whenever teachable moments arise
Want to save time and reduce stress while using the ABCJesusLovesMe Preschool Curriculum? In this video, you’ll learn simple tips to organize your materials, plan ahead, and set up your weekly lessons. With a little preparation, you'll be ready to teach each week with minimal effort, allowing you to focus more on your preschooler’s learning and development.
Teaching songs and actions to little ones can be a fun and engaging way to help them learn. In this video, you’ll discover practical ideas to introduce songs, incorporate easy movements, and keep toddlers and preschoolers actively involved. These tips will make learning through music enjoyable and memorable for both you and the child!
In this informative LIVE Broadcast, I’ll guide you through the essential steps to prepare your child for using scissors safely and correctly. Learn how to build hand strength, practice grip, and introduce cutting skills in a way that sets your preschooler up for success. By the end, you’ll feel confident in teaching this important fine motor skill!
Reading with your child is a valuable opportunity to teach and connect. In this video, you’ll learn simple strategies to engage your child and make the most of every story. Discover ways to ask questions, spark curiosity, and encourage participation, turning reading time into a fun and educational experience!
In this Live Broadcast, I’ll share helpful tips on how to effectively tell Bible stories to young children, making the stories come alive in an engaging and age-appropriate way. Then, I’ll walk you through an example story of Abraham and Sarah Have a Baby, showing how to captivate your child’s attention while teaching them valuable lessons from the Bible.
Reading with your child is a valuable opportunity to teach and connect. In this video, you’ll learn simple strategies to engage your child and make the most of every story. Discover ways to ask questions, spark curiosity, and encourage participation, turning reading time into a fun and educational experience!
Sign language is a powerful tool for helping babies and toddlers communicate before they can speak, reducing frustration and boosting their language skills. In this video, you’ll learn why signing is so helpful and discover 28 basic signs to teach your child. Watch as your little one gains confidence in expressing their needs and feelings through sign language!
The "Memory Obstacle Course" beautifully combines exercise and learning. In this video, you'll learn how to set up this obstacle course, along with tips to boost your child's memory and cognitive development as they play. Best of all, it’s perfect for multiple children to enjoy together.
Teaching preschoolers to write and use scissors may seem simple, but there are common mistakes that can hinder their progress. In this video, we’ll explore these pitfalls and provide tips to avoid frustration. Learn how to foster proper grip, hand strength, and coordination to set your child up for success in developing fine motor skills.
Can talking to a child really enrich her vocabulary and raise her IQ? Do conversations with my child create space for connection and spiritual growth? Listen in as Melanie asks Heidi to share what she's learned in her own research and work in developing the ABCJesusLovesMe curriculum and as a mom of four kiddos.
Learn about the differences between "Instructional Talk" and "Relational Talk," why we need to pursue both, and how to take advantage of God-given opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations with our children.
Have you ever wondered how some parents turn ordinary moments into powerful God-moments that leave a lasting impact on their children's hearts? At Parenting to Impress and ABCJesusLovesMe, we call these "Teachable Moments." With just a few simple tips, Melanie and Heidi believe you can create your own God-moments with your kids too!
