You want to teach your preschoolers to pray, but in what way can you make it simple and easy to understand? Let them create a preschool prayer book! Read on to find out how.
Materials
A preschool prayer book is easy to make. Here are the materials you will need:
- Big, rectangular pieces of colored felt paper/cloth put together with a yarn or ribbon to look like books
- Glue and scissors
- Black permanent markers
- Coloring materials
- Outlined picture of a child praying
- Laminating machine
- Felt cut-outs of the letters in “I love you” (enough for all students)
- Pictures of family, friends, and things the students wish for or are thankful for (to be brought by the students)
Image source: https://faithofthefathersscripture.blogspot.com/2007/02/nighttime-prayer.html
Procedure
Prepare enough copies of the picture of a child praying, so that each child is provided one. Cut them out before letting the children color them.
AdvertisementLaminate the pictures and glue them on the front covers of the books.
On top of the picture, write “___________’s Prayer Book” with your black permanent marker. Then ask each child to write his name on the blank.
AdvertisementPrior to this prayer book-making activity, inform the parents about it, and ask them to talk with their children on what the child considers their gifts and what they want to ask God for. Tell them to remind their kids that these need not be material things, but may also be people, or perhaps everyday blessings like the sun shining.
On one page of each book, write “Dear God, thank you for…” On another page, write “Dear God, I ask you for…” You may allow older preschoolers to copy these words themselves.
AdvertisementGuide your kids in sticking the pictures they brought on the right pages, with the use of glue.
On the last page of each book, let the students properly stick felt cut-outs of the letters in “I love you” and then write “Amen” at the bottom.
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Image source: https://thatsmystory-book.com/my-book-of-prayers-personalized-childrens-prayer-book-p-12.html
Ideas for Class
As the children work on their prayer books, you can go around and have little chats with them. Guide them in reading the words, and ask them to identify the pictures. When everybody has their own prayer books, you can integrate the use of these into your lessons and other activities. For instance, every circle time for a week, you can ask one or two kids to read and share their prayers. You may also want to create your own, and share it with your students. During lesson time, you can also let all of them go over their books, then ask them questions like “What are important to you?” and “What do you want to thank God for?” Also emphasize the use of “Dear God” at the start of a prayer and “Amen” at the end.
Making a preschool prayer book is simple yet fun. However, it is in how you teach the children to use this book that will benefit them more in the long run.
