Lesson Plan for Toddler - Christian Religious Studies - Jesus' Baptism

**Lesson Plan: Jesus' Baptism** **Grade Level**: Toddlers (Ages 2-3) **Topic**: Jesus' Baptism **Objective**: To introduce toddlers to the story of Jesus' baptism and impart the importance of baptism in a simple and engaging manner. **Materials Needed**: 1. Picture books/illustrations of Jesus' baptism 2. A small bowl of water 3. Toy dove or picture of a dove 4. Large towels or rugs for a comfortable reading area 5. Simple coloring sheets of Jesus' baptism 6. Crayons or washable markers 7. Soft background music (optional) **Lesson Duration**: 20-30 minutes **Lesson Procedure**: 1. **Welcome and Introduction (5 minutes)** - Greet each child warmly. - Sing a simple welcome song to create a welcoming atmosphere. - Briefly explain that today’s lesson will be about a special event in Jesus' life called His baptism. 2. **Story Time (10 minutes)** - Gather the children around in a comfortable reading area. - Show children the picture book/illustrations of Jesus' baptism. - Read the story aloud in an engaging and animated manner, pointing out key elements (e.g., John the Baptist, the water, the dove). - Key points to cover: - Jesus went to the river to be baptized by John. - John baptized Jesus in the river. - The heavens opened, and God’s Spirit came down like a dove. - God's voice was heard saying, "This is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased." 3. **Activity - Exploring Baptism (5 minutes)** - Show the small bowl of water and let the children touch the water. - Explain in simple terms that water is used in baptism to show that someone belongs to God. - Talk about how Jesus was baptized and how it made God very happy. 4. **Craft Time - Coloring Activity (7 minutes)** - Give each child a simple coloring sheet of Jesus' baptism. - Provide crayons or washable markers. - Encourage the children to color their sheets, helping them identify the key elements (Jesus, the water, the dove). 5. **Circle Time Reflection (3 minutes)** - Gather the children back in a circle. - Ask simple, reflective questions: - Can anyone show where the water is? (point to the picture) - Who remembers what came down from the sky? (dove) - How did God feel about Jesus? (Happy/pleased) - Praise the children for listening and participating. 6. **Closing Activity - Prayer (2 minutes)** - Lead the children in a simple prayer of thanks. - Pray: "Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus. Thank you for loving us and being with us. Amen." 7. **Goodbye Song (Optional)** - End with a cheerful goodbye song to wrap up the lesson. **Assessment**: - Observe children’s engagement during the storytime and activity periods. - Check for understanding through their answers to reflective questions. - Review their coloring sheets to see if they can identify and color key elements from the story. **Notes**: - Ensure the lesson is interactive and keeps toddlers’ short attention spans in mind. - Be patient and offer assistance as needed, especially during the craft activity. - Praise and positive reinforcement will encourage participation and create a warm learning environment.