The Fruit of the Spirit Curriculum for Toddlers {Week 1 – Introduction}

 Samuel is currently 26.5 months

This is the first week of our Fruit of the Spirit curriculum for toddlers. I’m so excited to start sharing with you! I was overwhelmed by the feedback from the introduction post I did a couple of weeks ago, and I pray this is something you all will find very useful. The Fruit of the Spirit Curriculum is nothing more than Intentional Toddler Time with a little more focus.

Week 1 – Fruit of the Spirit Introduction

Verse: Galatians 5:22-23

Letter: F

Number: 1

Color: Green

Shape: Circle

Table time is when we do most of our talking about the Fruit of the Spirit. I call it table time, but it can really happen anywhere. Today, we started in the middle of our schoolroom floor, moved to the “cuddle couch,” and ended at his little writing table. So really it’s just the time we spend together, one-on-one at or near a table. We’ve also used the high chair, dining room table, coffee table, and an airplane tray (we fly with our toddler pack! See our flying with toddler’s post here) in the past.

I put all of the Letter F toddler pack materials (found in the Fruit of the Spirit Curriculum) into page protectors in a little folder.

In the front I keep the Galatians 5:22-23 printable. I also post it on our calendar board, which we occasionally work through if Samuel is interested.

Side note: you’ll see a recurring theme in this curriculum: IF HE’S INTERESTED. This is because at this age we are simply seeking to be intentional with exposing him to the Gospel truth, teaching him basic learning skills, but mostly we’re doing this all through play and at a speed he directs. Learning for a toddler should be fun!!

Before we start work in our packet, I have Samuel repeat after me and together we say the verse. What this does is expose him to scripture, but it also helps grow his vocabulary as he’s learning new words through recitation. Plus he loves the thrill of repeating after me and oftentimes we do it more than once. You can see a video of how we do this in our family devotions post here.

Then, we read the book, Jesus in Me, together. Sometimes we read additional stories if he’s interested, but usually he’s not. We will however read Jesus in Me several times in one sitting. It’s beautifully illustrated and Samuel absolutely loves this book!

After we read our book, we get our sillies out with Crazy Praise, Vol. 2, Fruit of the Spirit song. We use our Popsicle stick props to go along with the song. We get up and dance and make all the silly noises as we learn Galatians 5:22-23 through song.

Note: I personally use Grooveshark for this part of our singing. I can pull it up on my phone easily through my web browser, and sing it as many times as we want. You can also search YouTube for free versions to listen to (and watch). However, I do plan on just buying this CD or download on iTunes (if I ever learn to use the latter) some day.

Finally, we turn back to our toddler packet and begin to work through it for as long as he wants. Don’t stress about completing the entire packet each day. It’s meant to be fun, so follow your toddler’s needs and attention span! My son happens to love drawing, coloring, and writing so this is something we do throughout the day, multiple times a day.

Usually at some other time in the day, we will do a craft or some other fun activity. For this introduction week, he thoroughly enjoyed his do-a-dot Letter F.

Each week I put together six toddler trays for Samuel to work through at his leisure and interest level. I use my toddler trays to promote fine motor skills along with an opportunity for him to work on colors, shapes, and counting. After we do table time, I turn on some music (To Be Like Jesus album, Sovereign Grace Music) in the background, and I try to encourage him to check out his toddler trays. I will play along with him, or just sit by and watch. But I use this time to observe and interact as he wants me to.

This week’s toddler trays:

1. Lacing beads
2. Wooden color set {made myself with materials from JoAnn’s}
3. Lauri Toys Number Express
4. 1-5 Counting with color cubes {I got my cubes from the Dollar Tree, and I got the square printable from Confessions of a Homeschooler}
5. Stacker pegs with Circles
6. Quiet Book {not pictured because I stole it for our airplane ride}

I also prepare a sensory bin for him to play with. This week it was a green themed sensory bin. Samuel is totally hit or miss when it comes to sensory play. This week? A total miss!

In addition to his toddler trays, I set out three rotating learning toys. I don’t keep all of his toys out for him all of the time. So I rotate three out each week, or as he loses interest. He does have certain toys that he always has access to, but that’s another post for another day.

This week’s learning toys:

1. Wooden hammer and pegs
2. Farm Animals & Barn
3. Cash register

While most of the United States waits for Spring to get into full swing, we are just now seeing the snow melt (though it does still snow about once a week). Anyhow, this means the ski bums are eating up what’s left of the season, including my hubby and son. I finally got to head up and take a few pictures. Check out this cuteness!

And that’s week one of the Fruit of the Spirit Curriculum for Toddlers. A low key, simple introduction to get us ready for what’s to come.

Do you think this is something you could do with your toddler?

This post is linked to Making Your Home Sing, Welcome Home, Time Warp Wife, Teach Me Tuesdays, Women Living Well, Works for Me, Women in the Word, Thrive at Home, Let’s Hear it for the Boys, Hearts for Home, Fellowship Fridays, I Can Teach My Child.