Teaching young children about Jesus

[jcncbm]

I’m a cradle Catholic. My wife is a Baptist but is thinking of converting. Her family, mostly her father, is concerned that our 4 year old daughters won’t be taught enough about Jesus/God/Christianity because “the Catholic Church doesn’t have any type of education for kids that young” the way Baptist/Protestant churches do.

How would you respond to that? I’ve said that the Mass is for everyone, regardless of age, but he counters with “they don’t get anything out of that” or “they don’t understand what’s being talked about in Mass”.

I don’t remember my parents teaching me much about Jesus before the age of 5, but I know they did. I turned out okay. Many other Catholics did. I don’t know how to respond to him.

Do most Catholic parishes not have a type of Christian education for children below school age?

 

[1ke]

I’m a cradle Catholic. My wife is a Baptist but is thinking of converting. Her family, mostly her father, is concerned that our 4 year old daughters won’t be taught enough about Jesus/God/Christianity because “the Catholic Church doesn’t have any type of education for kids that young” the way Baptist/Protestant churches do.

How would you respond to that?

How is this their business?

I’ve said that the Mass is for everyone, regardless of age, but he counters with “they don’t get anything out of that” or “they don’t understand what’s being talked about in Mass”.

How is this their business?

I don’t remember my parents teaching me much about Jesus before the age of 5, but I know they did. I turned out okay. Many other Catholics did. I don’t know how to respond to him.

“How is this your business?”

Seriously, do you teach your child her prayers? Sing “Jesus Loves Me?” Have a “We Go To Mass” booklet? Show her Veggie Tales and Catholic DVDs? Watch EWTN on Saturday morning? Sing songs? Read bible stories to her?

What are you doing at home?

Do most Catholic parishes not have a type of Christian education for children below school age?

No.

 

[kage_ar]

The Church teaches that parents are the primary educators of their children. Educating children about the faith is mom and dad’s job, the Parish programs are there to support and re-enforce what mom and dad to every day.

Our Parish does have CCD for ages 3+, that is one hour per week - same as Baptist Sunday School.

At home, you might look at the St. Joseph Picture Books for Children, there are dozens of titles and they are wonderful.

Books, DVDs, Bible reading at home, EWTN has kids shows…

You might check some sites like www.getfed.com

 

[puzzleannie]

I’m a cradle Catholic. My wife is a Baptist but is thinking of converting. Her family, mostly her father, is concerned that our 4 year old daughters won’t be taught enough about Jesus/God/Christianity because “the Catholic Church doesn’t have any type of education for kids that young” the way Baptist/Protestant churches do.

How would you respond to that?

Catholic kids have parents, just like Baptists do, and should be learning the faith at home from them from infancy.

Many parishes have preschool programs, in fact I can’t think off hand of a parish I have belonged to that does not have some type of program beginning at least at age 4.

 

[gloria97000]

There are many ways to teach your child about Jesus. Check out childrenofhope.org for some materials from Fr. Antoine, and find a child-friendly parish. Our 3-year-old was taught (at 2) by our priest that Jesus lives in the tabernacle, and will now point to the tabernacle, tell us it is a gold box, and even prostrate before it without any prompting from us. She says Morning Offering, grace before meals, and a bedtime prayer, prays for the “people with boo-boos” when she hears a siren, etc. EWTN has some great shows, too. Our Maronite parish welcomes our child at Benediction - how marvelous an education in Jesus is that, to be in his presence. There is no better education! Opportunities abound with just some creativity and the help of some well-formed resources.

 

[AmberDale]

Our parish has CCD for children 3+, for one hour AFTER Mass! Tell me my 3 and 5 year old “don’t get anything from Mass!!”, so when my little ones are watching Jesus in the Eucharist and saying “mommy, Look the priest has Jesus”. Or when they Genuflect to the tabernacle because Jesus is in there, or when my little apologist tells me that “Jesus has her baby brother”… She doesn’t learn anything from Mass, and doesn’t know much about Jesus. Whatever.

But we do have those St. Joseph picture books you can find at any Catholic bookstore. Pray the Hail Mary with them, or the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

 

[jcncbm]

Thanks for the replies. You’ve all been helpful…and enlightening.

 

[jwashu]

As a Convert who grew up Baptist I might have a little different perspective…

We don’t have CCD to my knowledge at my parish until age 6 I believe but we do have preschool (a very reasonable and fantastic preschool I might add). My sons have learned a great deal there at school. The rest at this point I consider to be up to me.

Now here is what I would say about Baptist SS. We sang songs etc… but there was more too it, however as I got older the more bothered me. When I was in second grade I had a new SS teacher who actually stayed with my class (about 7 of us guys) through Jr High. Rather than using the little handouts that pull verses from multiple books to make a point, we started with the OT and worked our way through verse by verse each week. This was an experience that definitely made a HUGE impact on my life… but that is not normal Baptist type SS. That was more like adult Bible Study.

At the same time as a parent I do not want my kids being told people are going to hell or they were going to hell or anyone else at age 5. This is definitely something that they would probably experience in a Baptist type system.

I grew up Baptist but became Presbyterian in High School thus about half my life as each and I joined the Church this past Easter after years of study (Baptists are closer than many think to Catholics actually). Anyway… my former Minister who is also a good friend had his neighbor ask if their Grandchildren could come talk to him about Jesus. He said that would be great… expecting a pre-teen to come ask questions.

Rather what he got was a 4 year old and a 6 year old coming to give him the whole “if you died tonight would you be with Jesus or burning in Hell” routine.

Frankly I don’t want my kids exposed to that… I was and was lucky but I know many others who had that shoved down their throat who have now completely turned from Christianity… it’s too young to start that. Fear tactics don’t work long term, you can’t scare someone into salvation.

Remember that a child really doesn’t understand things from an abstract sense until around age 10 or older… believing that at any time they or their friends who might not believe exactly as they do could be burning in HELL if something happened to them is crazy and NOT what I believe Christ wanted us to put our children through.

As they get older we will teach them more and more about what it means to be a Christian. Salvation is not just a moment of prayer, it’s a lifetime of commitment. Thus giving children at good solid base right now is what they need.

Teach them about God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), teach them about Mass (and how to get something out of it), sing song like Jesus Loves Me and teach them to pray (not just wrote prayers IMHO but also how to just talk to God about what is on your heart).

As they get older, expand that and continue until they are ready for confirmation. If you do, they will be much better prepared in regards to understanding what it means to give their life to Christ, to truly Follow Him.

So no, it’s not the exact same… it’s different, and better.

At least that’s my opinion…

Joe

 

[diane_mcnally]

I totally agree with jwashu. The young mind can only reason so much. But they do notice and copy you. The best thing you can do to educate your children is to educate yourself. Get involved with a Catholic catechism or scripture study. Attend RCIA classes with your wife. Share some of the wonderful things you learn with your wife, and let your daughter “overhear” you. Give her a love for a knowledge of the faith.
God bless.

 

[RHC]

My son (3 years old) goes to CCD while we’re in RCIA after Mass on Sundays. He really impressed my mom (who is Protestant) with his knowledge of the Holy Spirit. She was very excited that he is learning so much!

 

[BlestOne]

The parents are the primary teachers of their children! By the time mine were two they could say their prayers with me at bedtime every night and knew lots of stories about Jesus and the best part was that I KNEW WHAT THEY WERE BEING TAUGHT!!!

 

[babygirl6152]

I guess your in laws are talking about Sunday School stories-

I teach preschool for toddlers at a Catholic Church- we take them at age 18 months to age 5 it is 6 hours two times a week- We have play time, ABC’s, snack, lunch, toileting etc and thankfully at this age we already have chapel time- it is a story about Jesus usually, but sometimes about the OT. We sing and have hand movements- finger play along with a short prayer. We end the chapel time by blowing a kiss to Jesus on the crucifix on the wall, and saying- “We love you Jesus” or “Thank you Jesus”
My own children were taught prayers - not just recited prayers but prayer from the heart- especially for school friends, teachers, test time, illnesses…
We have small statues of the Holy Family around the house and beautiful saint’s statues that we talk about- they become a part of our lives. Pope John Paul II had a place over our dining table- I had a Fresco of him, so he became like a family member that shared in our meals and lives.
It won’t seem odd once you start it- and your children will grow up with Jesus in their family. Once we even had to go to counseling and my son was asked to draw a picture of our family- the counselor asked who is this family member? It was Jesus, he was feeling our loss and our pain- my 4 year old had drawn Jesus with black eyes and tears… suffering right along with us in our pain