Bringing a child up in the faith

[Eric_Olsen]

My daughter is 3 and I am trying to introduce to her concepts of God and Jesus to her.
What is the best way to go about this? Also, what books can I order online for her that are Catholic and are targeted for someone her age? I am also interested in teaching her the catechism eventually but the current one reads like an insurance policy. Do they still sell or is available somewhere the St. Joseph Catechism for children? Any help appreciated.

 

[Cristiano]

My daughter is 3 and I am trying to introduce to her concepts of God and Jesus to her.
What is the best way to go about this? Also, what books can I order online for her that are Catholic and are targeted for someone her age? I am also interested in teaching her the catechism eventually but the current one reads like an insurance policy. Do they still sell or is available somewhere the St. Joseph Catechism for children? Any help appreciated.

I think that at the beginning the best thing is to do is for you to tell her Bible stories and show her that you go to Church and that you worship. Show how much you love God and let her know that He is always present during your daily activities.

When we are young our God is the God of our parents, when we mature our God is the one with whom we develop a spiritual relationship. How do we first learn to develop a spiritual relationship? We learn it from looking at our parents.

Start to share your God with her and let her love Him because of you. She is too young to access God by reason and to develop a spirituality independently from you. Do not spend too much time working on catechism books, teach her the catechism through your daily behaviors.

It is still a very good idea for you to have the catechism books handy, because they will be a great reference for you to explain things.

 

[AnneElliot]

There is a Catechism for children called “My First Catechism” by Fr. Lovasik, but it would probably still fly over the head of a 3 year old. It’s the only Catechism I can think of geared towards the youngest crowd… but I think you would have to spend a lot of time defining words for her. She might not get it all right away (and definitely don’t expect her to). But you could start slow, and focus mainly on teaching her prayers.

You can find it at nearly any good Catholic bookstore, and it’s only about a dollar and some change.

 

[Eric_Olsen]

thanks for the pointers. I do take her to mass each week and she is in the habbit already of dipping her finger in the font and blessing herself and genuflects when she watches me do it.
She also like to go up to the sacred heart statue and light a candle( with my help of course!).
She can identify Jesus, Mary and Joseph. but I want to make sure she knows who God the Father.

 

[Cristiano]

thanks for the pointers. I do take her to mass each week and she is in the habbit already of dipping her finger in the font and blessing herself and genuflects when she watches me do it.
She also like to go up to the sacred heart statue and light a candle( with my help of course!).
She can identify Jesus, Mary and Joseph. but I want to make sure she knows who God the Father.

Do not rush her and trust in the Holy Spirit. If she sees you walking the walk she will understand you when you will talk the talk.I would encourage you to read the “The God of Jesus Christ: Meditations on the Triune God” by J. Ratzinger. The first part might give you an excellent understanding on how to teach God by being a parent.

 

[MMprn]

Eric_Olsen,
You wll reveal God to your child by loving her unconditionally, showing her patience and by using superhuman restraint when she misses the mark. And, she will miss the mark!
The best teacher is good example in your life and in relationships with others. She hears everything, you must mind what you say, especially about other people. Virtue is contageous and as a virtuess parent she will learn virtue. It is a good beginning to learning about God. Bring God to life in her life. Remind her God made her wonderfully. What a beautiful flower God made. How remarkable is the dog, the cat, the birds, etc. How good God has been to us to create all of these wonderul things for our world. And how God loves us very much. And remember, God likes presents too. She could pick some flowers, draw a picture, sing a song for God.
Use your imagination and creativity to bring God and His goodness to life in her life.