Babies are built for learning. Every sensation -- touch, taste,
smell, sight, and sound -- electrifies the infant brain and helps
it establish sensory connections that'll last a lifetime.
Because babies build a sense of trust with caregivers as their
needs are met, it's vital to respond to their needs in a loving and
consistent manner. When adults interact lovingly with babies, their
sense of self-worth grows. Babies develop trust in the people who
meet their physical needs. You can surround an infant with a sense
of acceptance, security, and love with the experiences you provide
for babies in your nursery. Babies feel God's love as it flows from
you.
Babies build their earliest foundation of God through their
experiences at church. You can tap into their five senses and build
a positive experience for babies in your nursery using the
following tips.
- Sound -- When you sing or talk to babies, use
Bible truths such as "God made the birds," "Jesus loves you," and
"God made you." Pray aloud with babies.
- Sight -- Infants are stimulated by contrasting
colors because they're easier to distinguish than similar colors
such as red and orange. Decorate your nursery with contrasting
colors.
- Smell -- Keep your nursery free of bad odors,
but avoid using strongly perfumed air fresheners. A light
deodorizer is fine, but a clean nursery makes a better-smelling
nursery.
- Taste -- Taste is a powerful sensation for
babies, especially when it curbs hunger and brings comfort. Tend
promptly to an infant's cries of hunger with milk or formula as
instructed by parents.
- Touch -- You've probably noticed that babies
have incredibly strong grips when they grab your fingers. Holding
babies or comforting them with a soothing touch also stimulates
their brain development.
As babies grow into toddlers, use Bible thoughts, stories, and
songs on a regular basis to help little ones learn about God in
different ways.
Toddlers' attitudes about God and church are formed early
through experiences they have in your classroom. Toddlers need a
safe, loving environment that stimulates them to explore and
discover God's world. As leaders, we need to provide positive
examples of love, acceptance, and security.
Sondra Saunders leads Prestonwood Baptist Church's preschool
and children's ministry with more than 5,200 children in Plano,
Texas.
