Age 2–3: Nursery

FAITH MILESTONES
  • Introduce short Bible stories
    Read from a toddler Bible like The Beginner’s Bible or The Jesus Storybook Bible. Start to name key people: Jesus, Noah, Jonah, Mary, etc.
  • Pray with simple repetition
    Let them repeat phrases after you or try echo prayers.

    “Thank You, Jesus... for today... for my family... I love You. Amen.”

  • Teach one Scripture verse
    Try a short verse like:

    “God is love.” – 1 John 4:8
    Add hand motions or songs to help it stick.

  • Encourage participation in worship
    Let your child stand, sing, or walk with you during parts of the service. Children this age love to imitate—you are their model of worship.
  • Recognize and celebrate Baptism anniversaries
    Light a candle, tell the story, and thank God for calling your child His own.
DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES
Preschoolers are growing rapidly in language, imagination, and independence.
  • Physical: Running, jumping, climbing, beginning to dress themselves
  • Language: Vocabulary explosion—asking questions, forming short sentences
  • Cognitive: Sorting, naming colors, following 2-step directions, pretend play
  • Social-Emotional: Taking turns (with help), expressing likes/dislikes, feeling BIG emotions (and needing help regulating)
They thrive on consistency, repetition, and grace-filled boundaries.
PARENTING ENCOURAGEMENT
You’re building spiritual muscle memory through daily love, not perfection.
📖 Scripture for parents:

“Impress [God’s commandments] on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road...” – Deuteronomy 6:7

  • Your voice becomes their inner voice. Speak words of faith, forgiveness, and affection often.
  • It’s okay if they don’t “get” the story yet. What matters is that you’re telling it.
  • When discipline feels never-ending, remember: you’re shaping hearts, not just behavior.
  • You are your child’s first picture of God’s love—be gentle with yourself.

RESOURCES FOR THIS AGE