**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.