Lesson Plan for Toddler - Christian Religious Studies - Jonah And The Whale

**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.