![[(Child Training Tips : What I Wish I Knew When My Children Were Young)] [By (author) Reb Bradley] published on (August, 2014)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51SnOcJL+QL._SL500_.jpg)
When we think about tips for Christians parenting toddlers, we often relate the idea to an outcome of sorts.
We’re often asking ourselves questions like:
Of course, we also want to raise them to follow Jesus, but in some ways, it’s so much easier to focus on the behaviors we want to see.
What Does Parenting Toddlers Look Like for Christian Parents? We often compartmentalize our parenting into categories: foster relationships, teach them right and wrong, help them develop mentally and physically.
So these tips may not be what you would expect, but they are very much a natural learning approach to parenting and teaching—because those two things do not exist apart from one another.
It’s amazing how much our children learn through modeling. How do they learn to speak? By imitating the sounds they hear around them.
How do they learn to walk? By watching and then trying it themselves.
So if you want your little ones to be grateful, say thank you to them. If you want them to learn how to express themselves in appropriate ways, then do so yourself. And if you want them to follow Jesus, let them see you following Him.
Affiliate Disclosure: This blog contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
You’ve probably heard the quote from Fred Rodgers,
“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”
There’s an immense amount of learning going on during all kinds of play from games to building with blocks to imaginative play. God has literally designed our children this way and it’s very similar to the idea of our modeling behaviors for our kids. In play, they are often imitating the adult world which helps them develop creativity, problem solve, learn about cooperation, and discover the world around them.
I have to admit… I was that mom. The one who didn’t like messes and tried to avoid them. As I watch my dear friend, who is like a daughter to me, parent her kids she even encourages the mess. And now I’m learning how important messes are in child development.
When we try to control the mess, we are actually controlling our children. We are keeping them from important sensory learning and from “failing” and trying again. So when it comes to food and fun, I highly recommend freedom!
Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes... in You and Your Kids
Passionate Parenting: Enjoying the Journey of Parenting TeensSolving A Crisis in Christian Parenting: Why so many prodigals?[(Child Training Tips : What I Wish I Knew When My Children Were Young)] [By (author) Reb Bradley] published on (August, 2014)
Isn’t that the way God teaches us? Life is a bit messy, but it’s through the mess that we learn and experience who He is. God develops our character as we discover the importance of perseverance and enjoy the wonder of living as His children.
Most of us know that reading aloud to our children is important for their language development and to foster a love of reading in the future. But one thing we often overlook is the family bonds that it nurtures.
As toddlers, it isn’t just about the words and images on the page, but the physical nearness of you. It’s snuggle time and family time, and a great way to share stories— Bible stories and stories full of beautiful things and the wonder of our world.
They will be more connected to God, you, their siblings, and the world through shared stories.
In our increasingly screen-based world, we seem to have forgotten how important it is for kids to spend much of their time outdoors. There are very practical reasons for kids to be outside—for example, sunshine is a natural source of vitamin D, something we all need! But let’s also consider that God speaks to us through His creation.
The toddler years are full of wonder, so don’t waste that!
I’ve been writing about what it means to teach naturally for many years now. You could say it’s my educational philosophy—one that was developed through homeschooling my children—but it’s more than a philosophy. It’s how I truly believe that God has designed children to learn.
Part of this “philosophy” is the idea that you shouldn’t be any more compartmentalized than your kids’ education should be. What do I mean by that?
You may have different roles, but they aren’t separate from one another. You are your children’s teacher (whether you homeschool or not). You are your children’s parent. You are the one who God entrusted to raise these precious gifts.
None of these should be separate from one another. Parenting is teaching, teaching is parenting. So let’s do it naturally in the way God designed our kids to learn.
If you want to learn more about natural learning, subscribe to our magazine Homeschooling Today. In each issue, you’ll find encouragement and practical help from experienced homeschoolers who are just like you.
Kay Chance homeschooled her two boys for fifteen years. While teaching them, she discovered a passion for writing and developing curriculum resources. She loves sharing natural learning methods and creative lesson ideas with other homeschooling parents in her column for Homeschooling Today magazine, The Natural Learning Home.
Kay is the co-executive editor of Homeschooling Today, author of the older extensions for the Trail Guide to Learning series, and a freelance writer and content creator. She makes her home in Texas with her husband Brian.
Sign up for a week of refreshment! You’ll get a series of encouraging words combined with some freebies that will really help you remember why you’re doing this and who is on your side (God!).
