I have an undergraduate degree in elementary education. I’ve taught Sunday school, mission friends, G.A.’s, and 2nd grade, and tutored children ranging from ages 5-12. I always imagined myself teaching my own child. I have visions of lessons and learning and reading galore.

During seminary, God also impressed on my heart that Thomas’ spiritual development was primarily my and Michael’s responsibilities as his parents. I know teaching Thomas God’s Word from a young age is vitally important for his spiritual life. Again, visions of family devotionals, reading Bible stories, and prayers at bedtime.

I want to stimulate Thomas academically as well as spiritually.

Guess what? That hasn’t happened. At least not how I envisioned. Sure…we read a book here and there, and we pray before dinner and often at bed time. But it’s not where I want it to be. Why? Because things like that don’t “just happen”. They take planning, effort, and time.

Which is why one of my parenting goals is to have “lessons” with Thomas at least 2-3 times per week. By lessons, I mean planned lessons with a purpose and objective. Of course, he’s only 17 months old, so the “lessons” will be short and likely scattered throughout the day.

In my attempts to find something to guide me, I discovered “Tot School” by Carissa at 1+1+1=1. Wow! She has such a wealth of information and resources there. She even has ideas broken down into monthly ages! I downloaded her Assessment List and Planner to help get me organized. My goal for July is to begin writing lesson plans for August when I will officially begin Tot School. Then, as long as I continue planning, I will always be a little ahead.

I have a copy of The Young Learner’s Bible Storybook (affiliate link). I plan to work through the stories in it using the activities there as appropriate and then adding my own or those I find on the Tot School page.

I have tried to do a few semi-organized activities with Thomas, but the goal is to start doing consistent lessons in August. This is definitely a work in progress, so we will see where it goes.

Do you/have you done any form of Tot School? What are your suggestions/resources?

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It’s time for the WIP Wednesday Link-Up! 

Last week’s featured post: Not Getting Lost in the Crooked by Megan. In this post, the recent storms caused her to reflect on the recent trials in her marriage and how far God has brought her and her husband.

What is God doing in your life? Link up a post below or let’s chat in the comments! Please make sure you link back to newlifesteward.com! This helps promote the community and allows everyone’s posts to be shared. If you aren’t sure how to do that, e-mail me! I’ll be glad to help!

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This post is linked with thanks to:

Works for Me Wednesday
iFellowship
Women in the Word Wednesday
Living Well Wednesday
Unwrapping His Promises
God Bumps and God-Incidences 
Whatever Wednesday

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