Quiet Time for Kids

How do you plan a quiet time/Bible time for you kids? It might be easier than you think and you probably already have almost everything you need.

Start by collecting several Bible story books that you already own. We keep all of ours in a box near the dining room. Each morning, we pick a couple of books to read from. Sometimes when Anne gets up while I am still doing my quiet time, I'll say, "Go and pick out a Bible study book from the box." She'll read to herself while I finish my prayer/Bible time. Other times we do it while the kids eat breakfast. I read a couple of books to them.

I can't remember how old Anne was, but one day while I was doing my Beth Moore Bible study, she said, "I want to do MY Bible study." Now, if you've done a Beth Moore study, you know that each day you use a workbook where you have to look up verses, read and fill answers to questions. So Anne saw me writing in a book. That's what Anne wanted to do, so I quickly grabbed a coloring book that had pictures of Bible stories and her crayons. Now, we always keep a faith-based coloring book in the box. I love the one she is doing right now. It's by Eloise Wilkin who illustrated several old Golden Books. (One day I would love to collect all the vintage books Eloise has illustrated.)

Remember that you are trying to encourage quiet times in "little" ones, which means the quiet time should be "little" as well. We usually only color one page in her Bible study book and it's not everyday. That's the other key: variety. Some days we just read one book, some days two or three, some days we do a color page. It doesn't have to be the same thing every day and it's probably best if it isn't. Keep it interesting and you'll keep them interested. That's why we have a whole box full of books--so there is a lot to choose from.

Speaking of books, I'm going to share a few that we've been reading a lot lately. This series (pictured below) is called the "Let's Talk About" series. I believe you can find them used online. I've found all of mine at yard sales and thrift stores. They are topical books based on topics/truth we currently trying to teach Anne: sharing, being selfish, lying, whining. Although these books are not labeled as "Christian," I believe the truth and moral lessons given support what the Bible says. And you can always compliment the books by reading verse from the Bible that pertains to that topic.

One thing that I really like about this series is that each book really explains and defines the topic. I'm not sure about you, but I the first time I caught Anne in a lie, I really had to think, "How do I explain what truth is?" How do you tell a 3-year-old what a lie is? How is it different than telling an imaginative story that is fiction? The books addresses/defines each topic in a way that toddlers can understand and used scenarios that are relevant.

 

Another series that I've been picking up second-hand are the Alice in Bibleland series. I think these might be out of print, but you can get them used on Amazon. I love the rhyming text and, of course, the little blondie girl.

Big Truths for Little Kids was suggested by mother-in-law, and I've got to say this is a staple of our quiet times. We usually do this book at least three times a week. Basically, you can use this book to help your children memorize theological/biblical truth. It uses sets of questions, supplemented with some stories to teach what are basically catechisms.

You'll be surprised how quickly they'll remember these. Anne has about 10 memorized:

Example:

Me: "Who made you?"

Anne: "God made me?"

Me: "What else did God make?"

Anne: "All things."

My favorite is when we come to the Trinity and she names the three entities of God:

"Father, Kid and Holy Spirit." (Yes, it's actually "Son," but she'll realize that soon enough, so I'm not gonna correct her!)

We don't set any goals or try to memorize a certain number. We just go through it and when she seems to have a new one completely memorized, we add a new one.

If you are interested in other books we like, check out the Mustard Seeds Bookshop. Whenever I find books we love, I always try to list them in the shop so others can benefit from "our research." Christian books for kids can be found under the Growing Your Child's Faith category. You can read more about my bookshop here. You won't be charged anything extra for purchasing items through my shop and the check-out process and order fulfillment is all handled by Amazon. (I do get a tiny finder's fee for matching you with the items, which will no doubt be used to feed my book addiction.)

But remember, if you're not sure of a book, or not ready to commit to buying, almost all of these books can be checked out from your library or requested from another library via your local branch. (Your taxes are paying for it, afterall...)

Now, I want to hear from you! What books do your kids love to read? Feel free to share any tips you have "little ones' little quiet times."

Comments

[Kristen]

Janna, I'm so convicted. Not to say that you are making me feel guilty, but I'm convicted in a good way and praising God for using you in my life and the life of your blog readers. I love this idea of yours and thank you for sharing it. I will be going to your Amazon shop and doing a little shopping. I love you my friend.

[Erin W]

Haven't stopped by in a while but I am so glad I did today! Thanks for the great ideas! You are such a blessing!

[Bobbi]

Thank you for the ideas. I've been buying little journals at the dollar store...so she can write in her "prayer journal" too. I like the idea of a devotional box in the mornings. Several people have recommended the Big Truths book...Is it simply a catechism or does it hold more activities? Again, thanks for the inspiration and encouragement to plant the seed.

[Bonnie]

These are great suggestions (let me just mention here that I am so glad you post different children"s books that you like. It makes library trips so much easier, knowing I'll come home with some good ones, instead of a bagful of "duds".)
In the morning at breakfast, I read from Little Visits with God. My mom had hers from when she was young, and used them with us when we were small. I found my copy second hand. After dinner, my husband does The Jesus Storybook Bible. I cannot say enough good things about this book. It holds even my active 2 year olds attention.
I LOVE the fact that it points out in every story, how everything in the Bible in some way, points to Jesus and His coming. I am so glad my husband reads it, because I would probably end up crying, as new realizations hit me!
I'm looking forward to hunting for some of these books you've listed- thanks!

[twitter.com/stephanieshep]

My girls (5 & 3) love both the Beginner's Bible (by Karyn Henley) and the Jesus Story Book Bible. It is not uncommon for those two books to be taken back to their rooms for rest time and read over and over again. I do like the idea of a morning quiet time box - I may have to work on pulling together a basket of things for them. :)

[Janna]

Bobbi asked about the Big Truth and I thought I share my answer in case others are wondering... The Big Truth Book is set up in mini chapters. For example, in the first chapter there are 5 questions and then short story about Cassie and Caleb. There is a continuing story about this brother/sister pair throughout the book. At the end of the chapter there is a section called "Let's Talk" and this has 2-3 questions about the story (kind of reading comprehension). Then, there is a section called "Let's Pray" that has a verse and a note asking you to pray about the verse. The story, the questions and the verse all support the question section. Again, everything is pretty concise. Chapter 1 goes from page 8-11.

[CherryTreeLane]

Janna,
I love this idea-I really do!
And those books (the pastel colored ones) with the "story of Jonah" etc....I had those when I was a little girl! Precious!

[Rachel]

This is a wonderful idea of giving the little ones a time to study the Bible while I do mine. We have several books from the church rummage sale that are "copy ready." These would probably work okay in a binder or folder for their Bible Studay workbook. We also have several of the Golden Books by Eloise Wilkin. I didn't realize she was so sought after. Thanks for the inspiration!

[Sarah]

Loved this post! Just happened upon it. :) My mom gave my daughter a book compilation of all of the Eloise Wilkins books! I was thrilled to see there is a coloring book too, that is wonderful!
I have a question about Beth Moore. What studies do you use by her? are they in devotional book format? or something else? I went to her website, but was confused about where to go from there! thanks!