Ideas for teaching the gospel to 6 month old

[thegingerbreadgirl]

I have been a member my whole life, with the odd period of less-activity (not totally inactive, but not totally active either)... Since my daughter was born 6 months ago I've struggled a bit to keep doing everything I ought to be doing, mainly because of my energy levels (I've always had low iron count, which means I get tired really easily).

Anyway, now that LO is a bit older and I'm starting to feel more like myself again (thanks to some sleep!), I really want to get back on track, for my daughter's sake as well as my own. I was just wondering though, what kinds of things can I do to help teach my LO about the gospel?

I have a picture of the Saviour above her cot, and we have a marble Christus statue in our living area. I also have all the gospel art pictures which we look at every now and then, and I play (and sing) the Primary songs on the piano... we're a bit slack with FHE as my husband works long hours and is not always home in the evenings. I'm just curious to know what other parents have done to teach their young children - any ideas would be appreciated =)

[Guest]

I have "gospel toys".

When my children were super little (starting around the time they can sit up by themselves), they had wooden puzzles. They had a Noah's Ark puzzle and a Noah's Ark shape-sorter and a Bible Story one (has Bible characters like Jonah inside a whale, Daniel with lions, Joseph wearing a colorful coat, etc.).

I read to them every night since the day they were born. I've always mixed bible stories with their nursery rhymes and such. I have the Stories from the Book of Mormon/Old Testament/New Testament/Church History for Children books and I would read one story in one night (stories are short - like one page or two pages with pictures).

They also have a bunch of Veggie Tales DVDs and CDs.

When they got older, they got their board books and bigger puzzles and Book of Mormon action figures that they LOVED to play with. Yeah, it got mixed in with their Star Wars action figures but they know all their names and the basic story of what they did and who they are. Like, they have Helaman on a horse and of course, he has to be the "warrior" in their pretend play, and they got Abinadi too and of course he always gets to be the one hit with the blue lightning from Darth Sidious. It is pretty cool that they know who he is.

We didn't always hold FHE on Monday Evenings. Sometimes we held FHE on Saturday morning when my husband was in school because he would go straight to school from work and doesn't get home until 10PM from Monday through Thursday. Friday is date night for us, so we held FHE on Saturday morning because we usually visit family Saturday and we don't always know when we would get home.

[Wingnut]

Honestly, I'm not confident that anything you do for her 6 months of age will stick. I think it's more for you to be in the habit than anything else. The most I think I did at that age with my little girl was sing hymns and Primary songs to her instead of lullabies.

[Gwen]

i agree with wing, at 6 months not much is going to matter when it comes to "instruction".

i would focus more on the things where she is developmentally. have the natural things you would have in the home, pics of christ, etc. have your family prayers, fhe, sing primary songs, etc. create the pattern for yourself and set the example for her. at this age she is aware of the spirit of your home, if you are inviting the spirit she will feel that, if you are constantly arguing with hubby and such she will feel that too. she will mirror you (sometimes more than you are comfortable with lol).

[Jenamarie]

Singing Primary songs, reading child-friendly gospel stories, having pictures of Christ on the walls and talking about Him, praying with her present are all good ideas. I'd also recommend buying the new Nursery manual from the church distribution website so that you have young-child-friendly Family Home Evening lessons.

At 6 months it's not likely anything will "stick" just yet, but since it's impossible to know when those "sticky" times will start, it's good to get into the habit now. :)

[zippy_do46]

I agree with everyone on the sticky part :) At this time you are developing a routine. The "little ones" love a routine. It sounds to me like you are doing what you are suppose to do. Just keep doing it. As you read the stories you can point out colors, objects , people. and actions. :)

[thegingerbreadgirl]

Thank you for your thoughts.

Wingnut - that's a good point about things not likely to "stick" at such a young age.

And Gwen - so true about having the Spirit in your home, it's amazing how even the smallest of babies can pick up on the mood around them. I guess that is the most important thing I can be doing, is inviting the Spirit into our home, because I'm sure our Little Ones are particularly receptive.

Jenamarie - you also make a good point, we never know when exactly things start to "stick", so it's never too early to start.

And zippy - thank you. Routine is great, it works a treat.

[thegingerbreadgirl]

Thanks everyone for your input. Good point about the "stickability", but like Jenamarie says, you never know when exactly they start to pick up on things, so it's good to make a habit now. Routine and repetition work well for littilies. And I guess the main thing is to always invite the Spirit into our home, after all, that is the key to any spiritual learning and growth. I appreciate your thoughts! =)

[BenRaines]

I would say be the best example you can be. Babies, children learn a whole lot by observing. If you are short tempered, scream, have fits, lie, etc. They will learn that no matter how much you try to "teach" them to be Christlike.

Just my two cents worth.

Ben Raines