Let the Little Children Come

Hannah has been wanting to earn the "Kid Care" badge for AHG.  This is the first badge she has asked to earn on her own.  We have spent much time this week talking about taking care of toddlers.  What kind of rules should they have?  What types of toys are safe for them to play with.  Do you know of any songs you can sing with them?  What is difficult when watching a toddler?  What is fun?

Part of her badge requirements were to be a "mom's helper" for an hour.  We thought it would be fun to let her help in nursery this week.  She took this to heart and spent the rest of the week planning her class. She wanted to teach the children a Bible story, do songs with them, lead a craft, prepare snack, and also have a signal to get their attention.

During our regular fellowship break, Hannah went into the nursery and set it up to prepare for her little students

This was a task taken with MUCH seriousness!

Hannah's friends Esther and Noelle volunteered to help her today

Let the class begin.  She is explaining her "rules".  Two claps mean to sit down.  And (with finger going across your lips) Ziiiiiiiiiip, means to stop talking.

 One of my favorite pictures.  She is leading the boys in "Jesus Love You", and she is pointing to our friend Henry.  Henry...Jesus loves you!

 Now it is Bible story time.  Hannah chose to teach them about the first two days of creation.  She is using her Bible reader from My Father's World

 It was very important to her to hold the book so the kids could see the pictures.  She also said she wanted to keep her lesson short because, "they might get bored and start walking around and playing".

 She is showing Isaiah the picture and explaining darkness and light to him.

 I love the interaction she chose to have with the boys (thankfully there were only two today!)

 For craft time, she chose to help them make a lion using a paper plate.  She showed them, step by step, on her little board how to make a lion.  She exhibited much patience!

 Realizing that part of her job as the teacher is clean up, she dutifully swept the floor and wiped down the tables.  She even "washed" the boys' hands with wet wipes.

 The boys were allowed to pick their favorite color, and she marked a sticker to show they were here today.

I am so proud of this girl!  She put a lot of thought into this class (and even told them that she would teach about days 3 & 4 next time!).  She had the parents sign a sign in/out sheet so she could keep track of the children.  She kept their attention, led a lesson, crafts, and cleaned up snacks.  I saw one moment of "me" when she covered her ears and said, "Ahem....you guys are getting to loud and my head is starting to hurt, please be more quiet".  Hand to face!  That statement had me all over it.

For the most part though, she did a wonderful job earning this badge.  I am pretty sure I will now always have a nursery helper by my side :)