In this lesson your child was given a readiness experience for
talking with Jesus in prayer. At this early age,
children can begin to memorize the words of traditional
prayers. They usually enjoy this. But they should also
feel comfortable talking to Jesus about anything that is
happening in their lives. You will encourage each
spontaneous prayer if your child often hears you praying
in your own words. Go over the Faith Summary on
page 119 together as a way of reinforcing this idea.
Five-year-olds need and even enjoy ritual in their lives. Brief
family prayer rituals--at bedtime, at meals, or using
the Bible--are important faith experiences for children.
With very few "props" and little prompting,
five-year-olds can be meditative, prayerful, and
reverent.
Each evening, at bedtime, try to spend a few moments praying with
your child. Listen while your child talks informally to
God about all that happened during the day. As a closing
prayer you might want to add your thanks to God for the
wonderful gift of your child.
A Prayer Placemat
Help your child become aware of being thankful for the food we eat.
Pray the prayer Grace Before Meals.
Then together with your child look at the prayer placemat on page
119. Your child may like to make and decorate his or her
own placemat to use at family meal times. Help your
child write the prayer on the homemade mat.
RETURN TO FAITH AT HOME INDEX
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