We all know the value of music as it relates to learning. If you want it to stick,
sing! I have watched my own children adopt singing as a main vehicle for their
learning. Music is magical. I also found that my children were drawn to nursery
rhymes and especially those that you could sing. Try as I may to teach other
songs, they would always choose these songs, books or videos. So, I thought -
how can I work with this phenomenon instead of against it? I began creating
words of who God is and what he wants us to be to the tune of the nursery
rhymes that they know and love. We still enjoy fun moments of singing the
nursery rhyme but now we sing our own words as well. So, “Row, Row, Row
Your Boat” became “Love, Love, Love Your Friends;” “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
became “Jesus, Jesus, My Best Friend,” etc.
What is important in discipleship resources for you as a parent is they must be
smart and simple. First, utilize a trigger that is present already — nursery
rhymes. They are familiar and require little additional learning. They are also
present in your every day routine — books, videos, etc. All you have to do is
learn the simple words with your child and then watch the opportunities to learn
God’s truths together!
So, enjoy!
(to the tune of Bingo)
Our God in heaven had a son,
And Jesus was his name-o.
J-E-S-U-S
J-E-S-U-S
J-E-S-U-S
And Jesus was his name-o.
Continue singing the song leaving out one letter each time
until you get to humming the entire portion of “J-E-S-U-S.”
Then sing it one more time in full.
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Copyright © The Whole Peach material written by Ron and Karla Hagan. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society