How to Say Babies Matter

Church growth experts say that one characteristic of a growing church is a dynamic and caring preschool ministry. Parents want their children to learn about God in a loving, fun, and safe environment. If parents have a positive experience at church with their children, they will come back. Here are some suggestions for saying "babies matter" at your church.

1. Begin with the pastor. The pastor with a vision for preschool ministry will help teachers understand that this ministry is a priority and will help them believe they are part of something important. On the other hand, a pastor who does not understand the purpose or have a vision for preschool ministry often must confront confusion and conflict among preschool teachers and parents.
   
   Let your vision for preschool ministry include a commitment to providing Sunday School departments that teach biblical truths to babies. Do not just provide a baby-sitting service for parents to attend Sunday School and worship.
   
   
2. Train your teachers. Train teachers of babies in the use of Sunday School curriculum and equip them with an understanding of the importance of Bible teaching for babies. Churches that use age-appropriate curriculum communicate that they are doing more than "baby-sitting." They demonstrate a commitment to teaching preschoolers. Use the following checklist as indicators of good Bible teaching for babies.
   • Teachers talk about the Bible as they use pictures and books.
   • Teachers use appropriate activities to encourage new skills.
   • Teachers encourage movement of babies and ones by placing toys and manipulatives in the reach and view of the children.
   • Teachers provide a variety of choices and activities.
   • Teachers sing and talk to babies as they meet basic needs of diapering, feeding, and holding.
   • Teachers build relationships and trust with babies by being in Sunday School on a consistent basis.
   • Teachers lovingly interact with babies by reading, talking, and playing.
   • Teachers use Bible thoughts, Bible conversation, and songs to encourage Bible learning on the child's level of understanding.
   • Teachers use real nature items (safe and appropriate) as they talk about the things God made.
   • Teachers allow babies to touch and hold the Bible as they talk about God and Jesus.
     
     
3. Provide space. Providing appropriate space is much more important for preschoolers than adults. Adults know how to adjust; babies do not. A church that provides a permanent space for preschoolers while adults meet in large multi-use rooms communicates to a community that "children are important." Provide rooms that allow babies to explore and discover God's world in a safe and loving environment.
   
   
4. Use permanent volunteers. When churches use volunteers in a rotating system in classes without permanent teachers, children often feel insecure in the church environment. Babies like and need stability.
   
   
5. Believe babies can learn. Understanding how babies learn can help you make the most of teaching opportunities. Recent findings on a baby's brain development include:
   
   
   • At birth, the brain is a jumble of billions of nerve cells waiting to form connections.
   • Genes determine general brain structure, but environment begins to influence development immediately after birth. Experience literally provides the organizing framework for the child's brain.
   • Many abilities depend on the maturation of particular nerve cells. Repetition of activities is needed to strengthen neural networks. Repeating tasks-sending the same messages to the brain over and over-seems to result in chemical and anatomical changes that help a baby retain something she has learned.
   • Music (listening, singing) trains the brain for higher forms of thinking.
   • It takes two years for the cells, which control posture and movement, to form functional circuits. Organization of these cells takes place using information gleaned when the child moves about his world. Restricting activity inhibits the formation of connections.
   • Because of the brain's plasticity, it is vulnerable to trauma. Every interaction can contribute to a baby's brain development.
   • Because no two babies have the same experiences, no two brains are wired the same.
   
   In a quality preschool ministry babies will learn basic concepts about God and His Word. They will learn that people at church love them in the name of Christ. Unchurched parents will learn that the church cares about their families; that their children are important to the church.
   
   
   • A baby learns as she explores with her senses. She learns as she sees, hears, touches, smells, and tastes.
   • A baby learns by doing. As he reaches, stretches, turns over, sits, crawls, and stands, he is learning. Play is a primary way that a baby learns through doing.
   • A baby learns through relationships. Relationships are formed as the baby experiences your loving care, voice, and attention.

Do babies matter? They certainly do. What is done in the early years of children's lives can make an eternal difference in preparing them for the time when they will commit themselves to Jesus Christ. "Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him" (Psalms 127:3). That verse suggests they matter to the Lord. And if babies matter to Him, they should matter to us.