I made changes to my morning routine a year and a half ago. Reading my daily devotion in the morning has been one of the changes I love. I am not falling asleep as I read like I was when I would read my devotion in the evenings.
A few months ago I decided I wanted to make this same change with my daughters. Our evening/bedtime routine with the girls is not always the quickest and I don’t want to rush on reading our devotion each night. If we have evening plans that result in getting home late, we often focus on trying to get the girls to bed quickly. Reading in the evening would then not happen.
I have now started the habit of reading a daily devotion or Bible story with my girls at breakfast each morning. They are alert and paying attention. They are not distracted as they are focused only on eating their breakfast and listening to the Bible story. If you need ideas for breakfast for your kiddos, check out my recipes for Pepperoni & Spinach Egg Muffins or Pumpkin Bread.
Both girls love this new addition to our morning and often ask about reading the Bible story as soon as they sit down. After reading through First Bible Stories
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We have enjoyed going through this tiny little book (approximately 4″x6″) of 43 Bible stories. We enjoy the illustrations and the simple stories. They are often only a few sentences long, so we read a few stories each morning. Because of this, it did not take us long to get through the book.
The book states the story length is perfect for toddlers’ and preschoolers’ attention spans. This may be true for toddlers, but I don’t believe it’s the case for preschoolers. Even if I read 3-4 stories each morning, my 4-year-old is always asking me to read more.
At the end of each story, there is a question. The questions vary greatly. At first, I thought some questions were too simplistic, but as we read more stories I found that the simple questions were a great way to keep my 2-year-old involved as she could answer the easy questions. My 4-year-old can freeze up if she doesn’t know the answer to a question and so I think the questions at the end are great practice for her.
One of my favorite parts of My Little Bible is that it doesn’t only include the standard stories from a children’s Bible, it also includes other passages and lessons. It includes Psalm 23, a lesson from Proverbs, and other lessons from the New Testament.
I would recommend this book as a toddler’s first Bible. The books small size will be perfect for them to carry around and look through themselves. The illustrations are sweet and the stories are the perfect start to sharing God’s Word with their little hearts.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Keri Snyder says
I love this idea! I think I am going to focus on this during the summer- thanks for sharing!
Emily says
Let me know how it works for you if you try it! My girls love it. :)
Hannah Christensen says
This is a great idea. I do my morning prayers in the morning but doing more prayer with my kids in the morning is something I should focus on as well. Thanks for the motivation!
Hope says
I love that you do this. With adopted teenagers this is a little different, but how I wish I was the one with my ‘babies’ when they were young so I can start important routines like yours.
Manjula J Klavara. says
Start now. There is no greater love than to mentor them with gentle firm accountability into reading and praying Scriptures. Their lives will be enriched with yours as you grow in the Word. Love and prayers. M.
Jessica says
This is such a great idea! We started doing this at dinnertime while everyone is finishing up / I’m cleaning up. My husband tells the story, and we ask the kids questions along the way. It has been so fun to do together as a family! I love the idea of incorporating it at breakfast as well. And why not lunch too?! -Jessica, Sweet Little Ones
Jessica says
I’m featuring this for Tuesday Talk this week too!
Emily says
Thanks for featuring, Jessica!!
Brooke Grangard says
Yes! We started doing this too and it seems to be smoother than at other times in the day. Thanks for sharing!
Tiffiney (Welcome Home Ministry) says
Hi Emily,
I completely love this idea! I”ve been looking for ways to get more Bible and devotion time into my kids life – and this is a great way to do it. Thanks so much for sharing and being my neighbor over at WholeHearted Wednesday.
Michelle says
Our two year old teachers use this book and it is perfect for introducing God’s Word to them. I love the idea of you beginning the day with your children reading a devotional. Such a good habit to get them into early.
Emily says
Yes, I would love for it to become a life-long habit!
Tiffiney (Welcome Home Ministry) says
Hi Emily! Congratulations on the feature over at Whole Hearted Home! This is such a nourishing post. Have a blessed week!
Victoria @ Creative Home Keeper says
This is such a great idea! We have been doing our Bible reading at bedtime but like you said, the bedtime routine has been taking longer and longer, which leaves me so tired, and impatient. I’ve been thinking about starting a Bible reading time in the morning for the summer so I think I’m going to try this!