Teaching 24/7 Resources- Pt. 2

Due to the reasons from my last post I categorized, in my mind, what I think of as traditional learning (geometry, colors, alphabet, even Montessori, etc.) from, for lack of a way better term, spiritual/moral learning. Please don't misread: these two types of learning definitely go together, especially as a child ages, but for now in my curriculum selection I've kept them separate mostly because there is nothing out there that combines them in the way I'd like to see them; so that I can be more in depth with each, not feeling like one is dominating the other. Therefore, I use Montessori for a very manipulative, methodical approach to learning a variety of subjects. I use Scripture, books, time, discipline, and milieu moments to teach worldview, shape my children's hearts, and to plant seeds knowing that God is the only one who can water. I pray that he makes His word become effective to change my child's heart to want to love Him and follow Him. That being said, here are some good resources I currently use and some I will use in the near future:

Parenting and approach to discipline: I kind of put these into three categories of good/really good/ and really, really good. BTW, I read all three of these for the first time before I had ANY children. It was so good to chew on all of this information before I had to put it into practice. Now, I read them at least once a year and thumb through them when I need encouragement to persevere or remind myself of things, which is why they are under my coffee table in the family room.

Good: Shepherding A Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp. I like this book because it's a really good introduction to Biblical parenting and discipline. It separates the book into two main sections: first, dealing with worldly methods and why they don't work. Secondly, it lays the foundation for a Biblical model and separates them into age categories.

Really Good: Don't Make Me Count To Three by Ginger Plowman. I like to think of this book as a very practical manual for the ideas presented in Shepherding A Child's Heart. Of course, that's a pretty blanket statement and there are some extra topics she covers, but it is more of a field-guide rather than simply philosophical method. Short, easy to read, very good. If you use it in connection with Wise Words For Moms, it will be even more practical and useful for understanding how to ask heart-probing questions and ready-to-use scripture verses.

Really, Really Good: Teach Them Diligently-How To Use The Scriptures In Child Training by Lou Priolo. Every time I read this I am convicted even more. One of the things Priolo says is that if you aren't using the Scriptures while you are disciplining and correcting, you aren't doing it Biblically. At first, this may seem like a strong statement, but upon reflection, I really agree. I am not the one who changes my child, it is God through His Word and if my child doesn't know what it says or if I am not using it, then how do they really know what God expects of them and why? It is not simply I who commands obedience from my children, it's God, and for good reason. Read this book. You don't really need anything else to train your children except for Scripture. Know how to use it.

I've been scouring every resource I can think of to find solid books for a toddler/post-toddler to be somewhat disappointed. I don't want to simply teach virtues or good morality, but I want my children to know God's Word and His Son, Jesus, in the context of what God has done in history culminating in the Gospel. There is a fundamental difference between the two. Here are a few resources I've found and some I have in the forefront of my mind to use in the near future when Hannah and subsequent children are ready.

One thing about this stage of development (2's-3's) is that children are actively starting to use their imagination and they have a desire for order in understanding how the world works. I love that both The Big Picture Story Bible and The Stories Jesus Told series put imaginative illustrative stories and parables together within a context of understanding Biblical truths.

What we are using now:

The Big Picture Story Bible by David Helm

Hymns For A Child's Heart book and CD by Joni E. Tada

To Be Like Jesus CD by Sovereign Grace Ministries

Foundation Verses by Desiring God

Wise Words For Moms by Ginger Plowman

The Precious Pearl & The Little Gate by Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen

The Prodigal Son Pamela Broughton

What I'd like to use soon or have soon in my collection:

Parents section of The Praise Factory

Sojourn Kids Resources

Polished Cornerstones and For Instruction In Righteousness by Doorposts.com

Toddler's ABC Bible Storybook by Carolyn Larson

The Princess and The Kiss by Jennie Bishop

I Can Say To God I Love You by MacKenzie and Stewart

My Thankful Heart by Sally Loyd-Jones and Jennings

Big Truths for Little Kids by the Hunt's

Scripture set to music for memorization

More Stories Jesus Told series by Butterworth & Inkpen (I think these are classics or out of print b/c they are expensive)

The Gospel For Children by Leuzarder

Jesus Is Coming Back/I Love My Bible! by Debbie Anderson

No More Whining! by Ginger Plowman

Anything by Lamplighter Publishing

I'll post more as I come across them. In the meantime, do you have any resources you'd like to share with me?