Tips for Worshiping with Small Children

Tips for Worshipping with Small Children


We are so glad to have small children in worship with us.Even the littlest ones can absorb God's love by listening to the various forms of music, by hearing the Gospel proclaimed from the center, and by feasting on the bread and wine atcommunion.Here are some tips that might help them engage the liturgy.


Try to have them use the restroom before the service begins, but of course if the
need arises, there is a door in the front to the right that leads to the Sunday school wing.There is a women's restroom upstairs, and both gender restrooms downstairs.


Keeping their hands busy is a good idea.They can choose a soft toy, book, or coloring clipboard from that area at the top of the stairs, near the sanctuary entrance.Or you may bring soft toys with you.Please refrain from things that beep or clank or make loud noises when thrown down or dropped.


Point out what is happening in each part of the service.(Look!Here comes Rex with the Jesus storybook!I wonder what story it will be today?)


Speak to them in quiet whispers, so that they learn to whisper softly in response.


Teach them parts of the service that they can join in reciting, such as the songs of the Sanctus(Holy Holy Holy Lord),or the Lord's Prayer, or the Baptismal Covenant(I will with God's help).Teach them the responses to the readings (thanks be to God) to the Gospel (praise to you Lord Christ).Prompt them when these parts are about to come up in the liturgy and encourage your child to say it with you.There is a book called "Alleluia Amen"you can take from the back that helps children learn these responses.


During the peace help them move around and shake hands with members of the congregation.Teach them to say 'Peace of the Lord be with you'.


Have them do the physical movements of our liturgy, standing to sing or pray, turning to face the Gospel book, bowing when the cross goes by, holding hands out for the holy bread, etc.


Bringing food into the sanctuary for small children is fine.Please refrain from things that come in noisy wrappers though, and please clean up your area when the service is over.(Those cheerios could live under that pew for quite a while, as we don't have a regular cleaning service for the sanctuary!)


If your child prefers staying in the nursery during the service, that is fine of course.We have two nursery options, one for very small children, 3 and under, and an option for slightly older children.A greeter will go the nurseries three fourths of the way through the service to bring in to the sanctuary any who want to celebrate the Eucharist with us.


Help make Eucharist be the highlight of the morning.You can teach them about 'Jesus bread'.You can help them create their own way of offering gratitude after receiving, such as 'Amen' or 'Thank you'.


Help teach stewardship by having them place a food shelf item in the basket in the lobby, or by letting them put your donation in the offering plate. Encourage them to give away a portion of their personal money from allowance or gifts.


Help them offer thanksgiving for their own baptism by bringing in a baby gift for the Crisis Nursery on their baptism anniversary.