Theology for Toddlers: Harriet's Top Five

When Harriet was born, I thought: Oh my goodness!  Steve and I are responsible not only for her physical well-being, but also to share biblical truth with her.  Sometimes that thought is terrifying (and that's when I am reassured by the fact that it's not up to me to bring her to salvation) and sometimes it's really exciting (how much better can it get to share truth about God and his Word with a small person?).  Since Harriet is an excessively busy, insightful, and thinking two-year-old, I am always on the scout for tools that we can use to incorporate the Bible into our day-to-day lives.  I like to find resources that really focus our attention at a particular time of day, such as age-appropriate devotions at breakfast.  And I also get really excited about resources that we can use to keep Scripture and biblical principles in our minds throughout the day - like Scripture memory songs and using verses in home decor.

So, without further ado, here are Harriet's top five picks*:

Number 5: Veggie Tales

This is the latest greatest Harriet obsession  craze.  It has been fun to watch the older episodes of Veggie Tales again and remember how they really did do a decent job of retelling Bible stories and in presenting biblical principles.  (You've got to love the honesty of the Rumor Weed when she says, "I'm just asking because I care."  Ouch.)  We tend to avoid the newer episodes since they are just kind of...not terribly focused.  But it has been neat to talk about Where's God When I'm Scared and to jam out together on The Bellybutton Song.  

Number 4: The Donut Man

I grew up listening to and watching the Donut Man, so when Harriet started loving the Donut Man movies it was a total blast from the past.  Yes, I'll readily admit that watching a guy dance around in colored overalls and major 90s glasses is kind of silly, but the songs are fun, catchy, and, best of all, have really good content.  We particularly enjoy the Resurrection Celebration DVD and we also love listening to the King of Kings album.  In addition to delightful praise choruses and teaching songs, the Donut Man also includes lots of action songs to recount biblical stories.  And toddlers like Harriet need action songs.  Now you can get two Donut Man episodes on one DVD.  Yay!

Number 3: Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing 

by Sally Lloyd-Jones, illustrated by Jago

When I saw that the author and illustrator of The Jesus Storybook Bible (see Number 1) were collaborating yet again on this devotional book, I was thrilled.  Each page spread contains a brief, yet meaty, devotional thought, and vibrant pictures that keep a busy toddler engaged, and a relevant verse or two. In the author's note, Sally Lloyd-Jones writes:

These thoughts are to remind you of things that are true.  They aren't meant to be read all at once - just one a day.  They come from the Bible - the place where God has told you all these magnificent things about how he loves you and how you can love him.  Sometimes I wrote for people who already know what it is to come home to God.  Other times I wrote for people who are just finding out.  You listen to whatever God wants to say to you.

When we read one devotional each morning at breakfast, I'm convinced that I'm getting just as much out of it as Harriet.  Simple and clear without being "dumbed down," this book is really quite fantastic.

Number 2: Hide 'Em In Your Heart Volumes 1-2, Hide 'Em In Your Heart Worship 

sung by Steve Green

 Harriet loves these albums and I can't say enough good things about them.  Thanks to the catchy tunes and listening to them many many times a day, Harriet and I have an arsenal of verses committed to memory.  (I love love love that these albums are pleasant for grown-ups.  Thank you, intelligent composers and Steve Green!)  Both Steve and I grew up listening to the Hide 'Em In Your Heart tapes and watching the corresponding movies, so it is super-cool to for us to sing the verses with Harriet - plus her grandparents and aunts and uncles on both sides of the family also know the tunes.  How fun is that?

Number 1: The Jesus Storybook Bible 

by Sally Lloyd-Jones, illustrated by Jago

How do I begin to extol the virtues of this children's Bible? We have read The Jesus Storybook Bible all the way through to Harriet about three times now, and every time we finish we start again the next day.  Combining lyrical language and stunning illustrations, this Bible communicates the truth that the whole of Scripture points to Jesus - from the beginning to the end.   Repeated phrases such as God's "Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love," and consistent reference to Jesus as "The Rescuer" make concepts easy for young children to grasp and also touch the heart of the adult readers in new ways.  I find myself being so excited about The Jesus Storybook Bible because it is teaching Harriet theological concepts that I didn't comprehend until I was in my twenties - and she can have them impressed upon her heart now.  Goosebumps!

I'm sure that we'll discover more gems along the way as our children grow and we seek to supply them with resources that will further their understanding of and relationship with God.

So, what resources do you particularly enjoy using with young children?

*We've been listing to waaaay too many Dice Tower podcasts lately...ahem, Steve....