**Christian Religious Studies Lesson Plan for Toddlers: Jonah and the Whale**
**Objective:**
Introduce toddlers to the story of Jonah and the Whale, teaching them basic moral lessons about obedience and God's compassion.
**Duration:**
30 minutes
**Materials Needed:**
- Children's Bible or a picture book telling the story of Jonah and the Whale
- Visual aids (illustrations of Jonah, the boat, the whale, Nineveh, and God)
- Whale puppet or soft toy
- Simple coloring sheets related to the story (Jonah, whale, boat)
- Crayons or markers
**Lesson Structure:**
1. **Welcome and Introduction (5 minutes)**
- Welcome each student warmly.
- Begin with a simple opening prayer: "Dear God, thank you for bringing us together today to learn more about Your Word. Help us listen and understand the story of Jonah and the whale. Amen."
2. **Story Time: Jonah and the Whale (10 minutes)**
- Gather the children in a circle on the floor.
- Show the cover of the children's Bible or picture book and say, "Today, we are going to hear a special story from the Bible about a man named Jonah and a big, big whale!"
- Read the story of Jonah and the Whale, using dramatic expressions and pointing to the pictures. Emphasize key points:
- Jonah runs away from God.
- Jonah gets swallowed by a big whale.
- Jonah prays inside the whale and promises to obey God.
- The whale spits Jonah out, and Jonah goes to Nineveh as God asked.
- Encourage the children to participate by asking them simple questions during the storytelling ("What do you think is in the whale's tummy?" "Do you think Jonah was scared?").
3. **Discussion and Moral Lesson (5 minutes)**
- Briefly discuss the story with the toddlers.
- Ask them simple questions to check their understanding:
- "What did Jonah do when God asked him to go to Nineveh?"
- "Where did Jonah end up when he tried to run away?"
- "What did Jonah do inside the whale?"
- "Did Jonah go to Nineveh after he came out of the whale?"
- Convey the moral lesson in simple terms:
- "We should listen to God and do what He asks us to do."
- "God is always with us, even when we are scared."
4. **Activity: Coloring Time (8 minutes)**
- Distribute coloring sheets and crayons or markers.
- Give each child a simple coloring sheet of Jonah and the Whale.
- Walk around and engage with the children while they color. Reinforce the story points: "Remember, Jonah prayed when he was inside the whale."
5. **Closing Prayer and Goodbyes (2 minutes)**
- Gather the children back into a circle.
- Lead a simple closing prayer: "Dear God, thank you for teaching us about Jonah and the big whale. Help us always to listen and follow you. Amen."
- Say goodbye to each child and thank them for coming.
**Optional: Take-Home Activity**
Provide parents with a small handout summarizing the story and suggesting a simple activity or discussion they can do at home with their child to reinforce the lesson.
**Note:**
Always adapt the lesson according to the toddlers' attention span and engagement levels, ensuring a fun and interactive learning environment.