Practical Tips

Helping Little Hearts Discover God’s Big Love from the Very Beginning “Is my toddler too young for the Bible?” It’s a question many Christian parents ask – and it comes from a place of love. We want to honour the sacredness of Scripture while respecting our child’s age and development. The reassuring truth? Your toddler is not too young. In fact, these early years are some of the best for planting seeds of lifelong faith. Children learn through repetition, rhythm, and relationship – all things the Bible offers in abundance. Even simple truths like “God made me” and “Jesus loves me” can begin shaping your toddler’s heart, worldview, and spiritual identity. Whether you’re a seasoned believer or new to faith-based parenting, this guide will equip you to start introducing God’s Word in a joyful, age-appropriate way. In this post, you’ll discover: Let’s explore how you can build a beautiful foundation of faith – starting today. Why Toddlers Are Ready for the Bible 1. Toddlers Learn Through Repetition and Rhythm Children, especially in the youngest years, learn effectively through repeated exposure, rhythm, songs, and sensory experiences. The Bible is rich in repetition, poetic rhythm, and memorable stories – making it naturally compatible with a toddler’s learning style. Hearing the same Bible song or story every night before bed might feel monotonous to you, but for a toddler it’s gold. Each repetition solidifies understanding and creates emotional connection. That’s why stories like Noah’s Ark of David and Goliath stick with little ones – they contain strong, simple elements that lend themselves to repetition and dramatic retelling. When you pair storytime with routine, song, or movement, you’re doing more than entertaining – you’re building memory and trust in the content of those stories. Try This: Sing “Jesus Loves Me” or repeat a phrase like, “God made you, and God love you,” every night at bedtime, while rocking your toddler or tucking them in (or however you do bedtime). See how many nights it takes before they catch on and start repeating it back to you; I bet it will surprise you how quickly it happens! These words, repeated over time, become part of your child’s spiritual vocabulary. Digging Deeper: You can even try adding little variations to your bedtime routine based on the season or time of year. For example, in spring, you can read about creation and talk about flowers blooming. This helps your child see how the Bible connects to the real world, reinforcing repetition and rhythm with real-life context. 2. They Are Forming Core Beliefs Now I’ve read that research shows that the moral and emotional framework of a person is largely formed in early childhood. What your toddler hears, sees, and experiences now will shape how they view God, themselves, and others. If your toddler hears daily that they are loved by God, sees you pray in times of joy and trouble, and experiences the kindness of Christian community, they’ll associate faith with comfort, security, and love. This kind of heart-deep formation is incredibly valuable. It’s not necessarily about theological depth – it’s about consistency and connection. Parent Reflection: Take time to think about the messages your child receives through your actions and words. Are you modelling grace and forgiveness? Even apologising after you lose patience can demonstrate Christ-like humility. Further Encouragement: Think about incorporating a “blessing moment” into your day. This could be as simple as placing your hand on your toddler’s head and saying, “God bless you today. Jesus loves you so much.” Little rituals like these build a framework of emotional and spiritual safety that toddlers crave. 3. Toddlers Can Grasp Simple, Foundational Truths We’re not asking toddlers to conjugate Greek verbs or memorize the Pentateuch. What they can do is understand simple truths like: These small but powerful truths are stepping stones to deeper understanding later on. And they’re easier to remember when tied to songs, stories, or actions. That’s why it’s important to speak these truths regularly. Even if they can’t say them back yet, they’re absorbing more than we think. In Practice: Try turning truth into a simple songs with simple actions – It can be as straight-forward as, “God made me, 1-2-3!” These fun, physical connections help toddlers learn with their bodies and not just their minds. Expanded Practice: Integrate truth statements into daily moments. When your toddler sees a bird, say, “God made the birds!” When they get a hug, say, “God gave you to us so we could love you!” These tiny moments add up and build a big picture of who God is. 7 Simple Ways to Start Teaching God’s Word to Your Toddler 1. Create a Consistent Bible Time Why It Matters: Toddlers thrive on routine. Making Bible time a daily part of your routine helps them understand its importance. How to Do It: Example Routine: Pro Tip: Use a consistent location – like a special corner with a blanket and a basket of Bible books – to make it feel set apart and predictable. Extra Tips for Success: Over time, your toddler will come to anticipate and even ask for this time. It becomes a familiar rhythm that gives their day a spiritual anchor. Bonus Activity: Let your toddler decorate a “Bible Time” basket with stickers and keep their special Bible books or toys inside. Ownership can help to make participation more exciting. Family Faith Calendar: If you’ve mastered all this and you’re looking for ways to keep things fresh without upsetting the routines you’ve created, consider creating a simple faith calendar with daily or weekly focus areas. These might include “Memory Verse Monday” or “Worship Song Wednesday.” Themes provide variety while reinforcing routine. 2. Choose the Best Toddler Bibles and Resources Why It Matters: Not all Bibles are created equal – especially for toddlers. Simplified language and visual storytelling make all the difference at this stage… but you want to make sure it’s still biblically sound. Some Top Picks: What to Look For: How to