Ed and special guests Victoria, Jennifer, Dex and Julie discuss the opportunities as well as the challenges that abound when kids are 3 and 4 years old. 3's and 4's are sociable, full of energy and love routine. They are just beginning to grasp concepts like sin, forgiveness, and boundaries. How do we encourage our children to develop and learn to regulate their emotions at a stage when they largely believe that they are the centre of the universe? We model it! Being a parent demands huge patience, and by growing in this area ourselves, we model to our children how they can grow as well. We often get it wrong as parents, and we should apologise to our children for this and genuinely ask for forgiveness, not just pretend that we are already perfect.
Victoria Beech founded GodVenture (link to https://godventure.co.uk/) to give busy parents fun, easy to do faith at home together. Victoria has 30 years experience of working with children and loves finding fun, creative ways to connect with God at home. She loves gardening and cooking, as well a celebrating a weekly Shabbat and Biblical feasts (which also often involve food!
Jennifer McQuillan founded and ran preschools in Southfields, London (www.jenniflowers.co.uk) catering for Special Needs and Mainstream children in combination. After 15 years in England, Jennifer and her husband returned to South Africa, where they have adopted twin sons, Noah and Jonah. In Johannesburg they have opened Under The Son Nursery School (www.undertheson.co.za) , enrolling babies (6 weeks) to 5 years, of which 40% are adopted. The care and education (Learning through Play approach) are important, but the ministry aspect is fundamental. She also delivers Early Years training to teachers and parents in impoverished areas, is a key note speaker, article writer for the sector, and is the Africa representative for The Early Years Alliance in London.
If this podcast encourages you as you disciple your kids, please do send this episode to a parent you think would appreciate it - maybe drop it into a WhatsApp group for your church's mums/dads/carers group, with something you found encouraging from the episode.
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The new book Meals with Jesus from Faith in Kids in partnership with The Good Book Company can be ordered here.
If you have any questions or comments, please get in touch with us at podcast@faithinkids.org. We won't read out your emails on the podcast if you don't want us to, but we'd love to hear your stories and feedback. We would love to speak to some families or share your stories on social media, be brave and get in touch!
Genuinely, we love hearing from folks and helps us feel less like we are speaking into the void - do send us a friendly hello, it might just make our day!
Podcast edited by Rachel Redeemed (https://twitter.com/rachelredeemed)
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As our children shoot up, the challenges grow too, who will they listen to as they work these things out?
Our brand new “Growing Up” Resources are launching on 2 May for parents and churches to use together as we help our children grow up in today’s world, with God’s word as their guide. Head to faithinkids.org for all the details on this excellent series. They’re growing up fast so come on, let’s share God’s good story.