It was so amazing to be with our 2-year-olds yesterday at church. I love watching how they're transformed from the beginning of class to the end. From sad and timid to happy and engaged.
An observation, though. When it comes time to sing, a couple kids sing "Jesus Loves Me" with us. And we sing it every Sunday...sometimes several times. The others stare at me like I'm speaking a foreign language. I tell them "it's okay if you don't know the words, you can do the motions." So...once they're into the singing thing, I ask them if they want to sing anything else. "ABC's," they shout. And at least 60 percent of them belt out this song. "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" is next and a few know that. "Itsy Bitsy Spider" they seem to know as well.
So my point? These 2-year-olds know the songs that are sung and reinforced at home. And "Jesus Loves Me" just may not be in families' repertoire much. (In fact, I had a junior high helper tell me she didn't know the song.)
Since I'm using Group's Play n Worship for toddlers and twos that's very music based, I'm very eager to get the CDs and DVDs in parents' hands so they can learn and reinforce these amazing worship songs. I want these songs to become part of the children's fabric.
Even I woke up with one of the songs from yesterday on my mind. That's what I want for these little ones. That they know Jesus loves them--musically and for real--at home and church.
I've been thinking about that lately. I think it would be great for more CMs to offer, either free or purchase, CDs of songs that are sung to families so they can take them home, listen to them in the care, before going to bed, etc. and sing them at home... Yet another way to partner with parents!
Posted by: Henry Zonio | June 29, 2009 at 12:20 PM
I surely agree and would love some suggestions on getting the parents more engaged.
Posted by: Deidre | June 30, 2009 at 02:07 PM
I agree. Unfortunately, I'm not sure families are spending much time sharing Jesus in any shape, form, or fashion. I think getting the music in the hands of the family is a great idea!!
Posted by: Chrissi | July 01, 2009 at 12:16 AM
I just learned something new from Timothy Jones who's a family ministry expert at Southern Seminary. He's done research where 100 percent of parents said they'd be open to help in being the primary faith influencers in their families, but only 30 percent said anyone at the church had had a conversation to that effect with them in the last year. His view is they're way more open than we realize at times.
Posted by: Chris Yount Jones | July 01, 2009 at 09:53 AM