Babies and Toddlers
How does the newborn child see Jesus? How does God speak to the least among us? This child is such a mystery! We believe that every person is whole and complete, filled with potential to know and enjoy God through prayer and in the life of the church. The budding religious life of an infant can bring joy and fulfillment to the child and parent.
A Prayer Space
Make a beautiful space at a level where the child can easily see it with simple objects that help to foster spiritual life. For a baby in arms, this space may be a basket. A toddler, may prefer to work at a table.
Slowly introduce, one at a time, prayer objects:
A card with a beautiful picture based on nature, scripture, or the life of the church.
A bible.
A framed photograph of the child’s baptism.
A figure of a shepherd.
A painted wooden icon of Mary and Jesus.
Any other objects that the child may handle and that connect with the spiritual and religious life of your home.
Allow Silence
Babies and toddlers are naturally quiet more than we think. Watch carefully for moments when your child is staring into space, or working silently with a toy or art materials.
Rather than talking, inserting observations, asking questions, practice allowing the child experience silence as a good thing!
Name It!
The infant is incredibly sensitive to language. You can build your child’s religious vocabulary by naming what you see.
Now while we are not in church, you may still want to point out the objects visible on the recorded church service: the colors of the altar hangings, the priest, the pulpit and lectern. Providing names, helps the child to notice and remember objects in their environment.
Additional Resources
Read more about the development of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for infants and toddlers.