GOD
As being taught to a PreschoolerThe preschooler needs to know that God loves him. God wants us to love others and be kind to them. I can talk to God. God wants us to tell others about Him. These are truths that are conveyed to the child by speaking of God and relating to the preschooler in a warm and loving manner.Preschoolers need to sense Gods love and care in their daily lives. The child needs to associate God with happy experiences.
JESUS
As being taught to a PreschoolerThe preschooler learns that Jesus was a baby; He grew to be a boy and then a man. Jesus is Gods Son. Jesus loves every person. Jesus helped people. Jesus had friends who loved Him. Jesus wants people to love and help others. The preschooler needs to associate the name of Jesus with feelings of love and happiness. The child needs to hear his parents speak the name of Jesus in a loving way. Repeatedly tell the child Jesus loves him. Talk about Jesus as a friend and helper.

Talking with Preschoolers
Young preschoolers have a limited vocabulary and limited understanding. Much of the communication with preschoolers is non-verbal. The tone of voice, facial expression, and body stance tells the child if an adult is tense, relaxed, angry, happy, or joyful. The preschooler needs to hear the name of Jesus spoken in loving ways. When the body language of the adult matches the words spoken, the child knows the words are true. Even though the infants or toddlers may not understand everything that is said, they need to begin hearing about God and Jesus from an early age. Tell an infant that God made him. Talk in a gentle voice. Smile when talking about God. Sing a song about God to a toddler. Clap the rhythm of the words from a Bible thought with a one-year-old. Let the child hear words of thanks to God.
A preschooler is not able to think in terms of symbolism. For the child to comprehend, the words have to relate to something the child already knows. This is why preschoolers do not understand figures of speech. They do not yet have the mental capability to think in abstract phrases.
Avoid using terms such as the, “House of God”. A preschooler would know this as church. Use words that do not have symbolic meaning. The preschooler thinks in the here and now. A child will understand the phrase, “Tell others about Jesus,” much more than “shine your light on the world.”

Strong Willed Children
What’s a parent to do when their child is bound and determined to have their “way”?
1st—Establish clear boundaries
2nd - Maintain those boundaries
Parents need to put prayer and thought into what their children’s boundaries are. Then those boundaries should be communicated clearly to the children. Children will test those boundaries. Those rules must not change when tested. Now, as a child grows older the boundaries may be adjusted. A teen can be included in the discussion of boundaries. Once the boundaries are established then maintain the rules.

When a Child has a Nightmare

Tip from Dr. James Dobson talking to parents of children who have nightmares.
Teach your child that when they have bad dreams, it's like watching a bad movie on TV. If they don't like
how the story is going, they can pick up the remote control and change the channel. While they are
sleeping they can actually change their dream to end the way they want it to. They can "pick up a remote control" in their dreams and change the channel to something they like better.

Now as strange as that seems, I personally have done it. Because I keep Jesus fresh in my thoughts, I call out to Him when a dream becomes a nightmare and our children can do the same.
Pastor Randy